Businesses may fire any employee at any time, for any or no reason, as long as they are not violating any employee protection laws. However, workers may request the reason for discharge by sending a written request to the business for a signed written statement of the reason for discharge and the effective date.
A termination clause is a provision in the employment contract that defines the rights of the employee at the termination of the employment relationship. It typically determines how much notice period and severance an employee is entitled to when the termination is on a without-cause basis.
Basically, a severance agreement is a waiver or release of liability that the outgoing employee signs, protecting the business from lawsuits. These agreements are usually part of a larger severance package that includes compensation, outplacement services, and other benefits in exchange for the employee's signature.
What is the downside to severance? The downside to severance includes financial drawbacks such as loss of steady income, potential loss of benefits, and uncertainty about future job prospects, as well as the impact on retirement savings and benefits.