Before you sign away important rights, make sure you understand exactly what the agreement means. Our team of attorneys at Employment Rights Lawyers, APC, helps employees evaluate severance packages and protect their interests.
What Is a Severance Package Review?
A severance package is an agreement offered by an employer when an employee’s employment ends, often through a layoff, termination, or separation. In exchange for severance pay, continued benefits, or other compensation, employees are often asked to sign an agreement that releases the employer from future claims. A severance package review is the process of evaluating the agreement’s terms, identifying which rights may be waived, and determining whether the offer is fair given the circumstances.
Our team of attorneys at Employment Rights Lawyers, APC, can review your severance agreement, explain its legal consequences, and assess whether you may have potential employment-law claims. If appropriate, we can help negotiate better terms, seek additional compensation, and work to protect your rights before you sign away valuable legal protections.
What to Consider Before Signing a Severance Package?
A severance agreement is typically more than a payment offer. In many cases, signing the agreement means giving up important legal rights and potential claims against your employer. Before signing the agreement, consider the following:
- Whether the severance payment fairly reflects the circumstances of your departure
- Whether you have claims for discrimination, harassment, or wrongful termination
- Whether the agreement requires you to release known and unknown legal claims
- Whether non-disparagement, confidentiality, or restrictive provisions could affect your future
- Whether your employer is offering benefits beyond what it already legally owes you
- Whether you have enough time to review and understand the agreement
- Whether the terms may be negotiable, including additional compensation
- Whether an attorney has reviewed the agreement and explained its consequences
However, signing a severance agreement does not always mean the matter is closed. Depending on your specific circumstances, there may be limited situations in which portions of a severance agreement can be challenged or in which legal rights remain intact. An employment attorney can review the facts and help determine whether you still have options.
Why Choose Employment Rights Lawyers, APC, for Severance Package Review?
A severance agreement may look simple, but it can have a lasting impact on your legal rights and financial future. Our team of attorneys at Employment Rights Lawyers, APC, focuses exclusively on employment law and understands how employers structure these agreements. We take the time to personally review your situation, identify potential claims that may increase your negotiating leverage, and explain your options in plain language. If stronger terms are warranted, we have the experience and resources to advocate for your best interests.
FAQ
What Can I Do if I’m Offered a Severance Package?
If your employer offers you a severance package, resist the urge to sign it immediately. Take the time you need to carefully review the agreement and understand what you are being asked to give up in exchange for the compensation offered. Many severance agreements include broad releases that waive your right to bring future claims against your employer, including claims you may not yet realize you have.
Before making a decision, consider having the agreement reviewed by an employment attorney. A lawyer can evaluate whether the offer is fair, identify potential legal claims that may affect the agreement’s value, and determine whether stronger terms can be negotiated. At Employment Rights Lawyers, APC, our team can explain your rights, assess your options, and help you make an informed decision about your future.
Contact Us for a Free
(And Confidential) Consultation
Before you sign a severance agreement, make sure you understand your rights and options. Contact Employment Rights Lawyers, APC for a confidential case review. Our team can evaluate your package, explain its implications, and help you determine next steps.
