Severance Negotiation
Leaving a job can be challenging, confusing, stressful, and altogether complicated. A severance package—which includes the pay and benefits an employee receives when they leave their position—exists to help make this transition period a little less overwhelming. Before accepting a severance package, employees need to remember that they have a right to negotiate for a better deal. Make sure you are getting a fair value from your employer. At Coffman Legal, our Columbus Ohio severance negotiation attorneys understand that separation from employment can be a very stressful time filled with uncertainties. At times, employers offer employees severance agreements as they part ways. No matter your specific circumstances, we will make sure that your severance agreement protects your legal rights and financial interests. For a free, strictly confidential review of your severance agreement case, please call us at our law office today.
One of the most important things to know about severance pay is that it is not “free.” As a general matter, neither Ohio state law nor U.S. federal law requires employers to offer severance pay. While many companies do offer their workers severance packages after they leave the company, employers are typically not doing so solely out of their own goodwill—they are also receiving a benefit. If your employer has offered you severance by way of a written agreement, we recommend that you speak with our Columbus Ohio severance negotiation lawyers prior to deciding whether to accept the benefits offered by your employer. When you accept severance, employers require you to release any potential claims you may have against them (whether you know about them or not), and you are legally bound by the agreement. In other words, by accepting a severance package, you are generally agreeing not to file a lawsuit against your employer for wrongful termination or for any other type of employment law claim. Make sure you protect yourself by seeking legal counsel and review prior to signing a severance agreement. You can be sure that your employer’s in-house or outside counsel reviewed the severance agreement has been given for your consideration. In addition, there is a reason that nearly (if not every) severance agreement contains a clause encouraging you to speak with an attorney. Furthermore, there are certain types of legal rights that cannot be waived in a severance agreement.
In many cases, employers put pressure on workers to simply accept the initial severance offer by using false time constraints. They may make the employee feel as though they must accept the severance package immediately or else risk losing the offer entirely. It is important to remember that you are not required to accept your company’s first severance package offer. You have the right to discuss the proposal with our experienced Columbus Ohio severance negotiations attorneys.
Severance packages vary widely from employee to employee. Generally, the longer a worker was employed at a specific company, the more generous their severance benefits will be. However, there are plenty of exceptions to the general rule. Some examples of benefits that may be included within your severance package are:
It is highly recommended that you consult with our experienced Ohio severance negotiation attorneys before finalizing your severance agreement. With the assistance of our experienced severance negotiation lawyers, you will be able to fully understand any rights you are waiving prior to signing a severance agreement. Our experienced severance attorneys may also be able to negotiate a favorable result, including an increase in the amount of severance, more favorable terms, or other potential benefits. Our severance negotiation lawyers frequently represent clients who are negotiating a severance package from their employer. We are here to make sure that you get the full and fair benefits that you rightfully deserve. In addition, he will ensure that signing the agreement—thereby releasing your legal claims against your company—is truly in your best interests.
At Coffman Legal, our Ohio severance lawyers have extensive experience representing clients in severance negotiations. We appreciate the difficulty a sudden separation can cause for an employee and we are here to offer experienced representation to ensure that you fully understand your rights when considering whether to accept the severance terms offered by your employer. For a free, fully confidential consultation with Columbus Ohio severance negotiation attorneys, please do not hesitate to contact our law office. We are prepared to answer any questions about severance, your separation, or your legal rights.