In an age where silver linings often seem hard to come by, you may think that getting an offer of a severance package if your employer lets you go is a great blessing. While this may be true, it’s also a red flag that your employer is trying to buy your silence and cooperation if you were mistreated.
Before you accept any severance package, it is always wise to consult with an experienced attorney to help you examine every aspect of the offer and determine why your employer is offering you severance in the first place. At a federal level, there are no laws that mandate severance packages, so an employer who offers you one is usually doing so for a very specific reason.
If you suspect that your employer is wrongfully terminating you and trying to smooth it over with a severance package, you must choose your next steps very carefully. If you accept the severance package, you may be forfeiting the opportunity to pursue further action against your employer in court. While that may be acceptable in some cases, depending on the nature of your relationship with the employer and the terms of the severance package, you should never accept any such offer without fully understanding the implications as well as the benefits.
If your employer is attempting to get out of a legal battle by offering a severance package, an attorney who understands the intricacies of employment law can be a real benefit. The guidance of an experienced attorney can help ensure that you do not forfeit opportunities in the future by accepting a deal that protects your employer first and foremost.
