Okay, unfortunately without any type of contractual obligation a severance package is entirely voluntary on the part of the employer and they can rescind that offer at any time up until the employee accepts it.
Can a severance agreement be withdrawn? It depends. In many states, you may withdraw your agreement to the severance package within seven days after you sign it. If you have 21 days to consider the offer, then your employer cannot withdraw it during that time.
Non-waivable claims: Certain claims, such as workers' compensation and unemployment insurance claims, cannot be waived by the employee. No prevailing party and attorney's fees: Ensure that the agreement does not include provisions that would allow either party to claim attorney's fees if legal disputes arise.
Employers can require former employees not to talk about proprietary information or divulge trade secrets. It is also legal for them to request in a severance agreement that employees not speak about the terms of their severance publicly.
It is unusual, but a company may rescind a severance package offer, especially if there is bad behavior by the employee before the agreement is signed.
Fraud, misrepresentation, duress, or unconscionability are common defenses you can use if you want to void a severance agreement that you already signed.
Massachusetts law requires that employees over the age of 40 be given at least 21 days to review a severance package. Those under 40 should also be given a “reasonable” amount of time to review. Use this time to call an attorney who can assess whether you have claims you can leverage to negotiate a better package.
Can a severance agreement be withdrawn? It depends. In many states, you may withdraw your agreement to the severance package within seven days after you sign it. If you have 21 days to consider the offer, then your employer cannot withdraw it during that time.