Being terminated or laid off is traumatic. If you are offered a separation agreement don’t sign it at the meeting. Take your time. Read it carefully. Consult with an attorney. In many cases, you have at least 21 days to decide if you want to sign it. (The Agreement will set forth the time period you have in which to sign it.).
When you sign these agreements, you are giving up your right to pursue legal action against your employer in exchange for the money the employer is offering you. The agreement often imposes obligations on you.
An attorney can help you figure out whether it makes sense to pursue additional benefits or give up your right to pursue legal action against your employer in exchange for the money offered in the agreement.
There are many things to consider, such as:
- Do I have legal claims against my employer
- If I sign, will I be subject to a non-compete or other types of restrictions?
- If I sign, will I have any ongoing obligations to the employer?
- Will my employer pay me for outstanding business expenses?
- Will my employer pay me for my bonus?
- Will I receive payment for unused Paid Time Off (PTO)?
- If I sign the agreement, can I still get long-term disability benefits?
- Can I get unemployment compensation benefits?
- If I find a new job, will I have to give the money back to the employer?
Bertelson Law Offices, P.A. has over 50 years of combined experience reviewing, evaluating and strategically negotiating severance agreements, separation agreements, buy-out packages, executive agreements and non-compete agreements.
If you’re terminated or laid off and given a separation agreement, give us a call at 612-278-9832 or email us at [email protected].
Because we practice exclusively in employment law, we provide you with knowledgeable and caring experience, as well as personal service for your individual needs and goals. We offer a thorough review to help you determine how your situation would be impacted by signing, or if it would be appropriate to move forward with legal claims or with negotiating changes to the agreement, such as increasing the amount your employer is offering and language changes to the agreement.
