Syracuse Severance And Separation Agreement Attorney
After you are fired from your job, your employer may offer you a severance agreement, also known as a separation agreement. Severance agreements provide employees with compensation in addition to the money that the employer owes for past work, unpaid vacation days, and other benefits. If you are terminated and unsure whether your severance agreement is sufficient, the Syracuse severance and separation agreement attorneys at Gattuso & Ciotoli, PLLC can help.
Why Choose A Syracuse Severence And Separation Agreement Attorney From Us
- Our Syracuse employment attorneys specialize in employment discrimination claims and have over 50 years of combined experience.
- Our firm is dedicated to providing personalized attention to each and every client.
- We will handle all aspects of your case on your behalf, allowing you to focus on the future.
What Is a Severance Agreement?
A severance agreement is a contract between an employee and an employer that outlines the terms of the employee’s termination. This document contains several provisions, including the official date and reason for termination, any restrictions that the employee must uphold, such as non-compete agreements, and the amount of severance pay that the employee can receive.
New York employers are not obligated to provide severance pay to their employees unless a legal document requires them to do so, such as an employment contract or collective bargaining agreement. In many situations, employers voluntarily offer this payment to high-level employees, company executives, and employees who are fired for reasons outside of their control, such as the closing of a division.
Should You Accept a Severance Agreement?
When an employer offers severance pay after your termination, it may seem like a gesture of goodwill. However, it is important to understand the exact terms of the agreement before signing the document.
Employers often sneak in provisions to protect their own interests, not yours. For example, the employer may say that you cannot work in the same industry for a certain number of years. You may want to have a lawyer evaluate your contract and determine whether these provisions are valid.
Additionally, your severance agreement may not include sufficient compensation based on the value you brought to the company and the circumstances around your termination. You may not want to accept this offer immediately.
Should You Negotiate Your Severance Agreement?
If you are offered a separation agreement, you may wonder if you should accept, reject, or attempt to negotiate your severance pay. You have the right to negotiate for more money, extend your right to exercise stock options, and obtain insurance benefits. Whether you should negotiate the terms of your severance agreement depends on whether you have leverage.
The following factors could influence negotiations with your employer.
- The quality of your performance and the value that you contributed to the organization
- The circumstances behind your termination
- Whether you have any potential legal claims against your employer
- The financial status of your employer
- Your behavior after your termination
If you were a strong employee with good performance reviews and were terminated during a round of layoffs, you would have more leverage than an employee who was fired after drinking at work.
Schedule Your Free Consultation
Being fired is a difficult experience, and it can be challenging to know what to do next. In these situations, speak with a New York employment lawyer at Gattuso & Ciotoli, PLLC who can review the document, advise you on your best options, and represent you in negotiations. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation with a Syracuse severance and separation agreement attorney.