While independent contractors are not entitled to a severance package if terminated, employees and dependent contractors are entitled to a package. What factors do courts consider in determining your employment status?
How to ask for a severance package Review your company's documents. You can typically find details of the company's policy regarding severance packages in a couple of places. Make note of your accomplishments. Stay professional. Negotiate severance during your job offer. Agree to an exit interview.
Your severance agreement should be offered to the employee during the notification meeting by your HR manager, who will review the details of the document with the employee. This can be a tricky conversation to have, which is why we suggest you have a layoff letter prepared.
Present the employee with the severance agreement, worked on by your HR manager, and walk through each section. Leave time for the employee to ask questions and make clear the time frame during which the employee has time to meet with their lawyer, as well as their last day.
To increase your chances of a successful negotiation, choose a reasonable counter-offer. Think about the resources your former employers can offer and what you can offer in return. Employers usually do not want to engage in a lengthy negotiation, so presenting a reasonable offer may encourage them to accept to move on.
You do not get severance if you quit. Nobody is automatically entitled to any severance legally, ever, unless you were hired under a contract such as a 1099 employee and you have severance written into your agreement. Standard W-2 employees usually do not get severance.
You and your employer must follow certain legal formalities for a severance agreement to be enforceable. You must ensure that the agreement is in writing and that your employer has signed it. Sometimes, you might also need a witness or have it notarized. Failing to adhere to these formalities can void the agreement.
Many states — including California, Texas and Wisconsin — have right-to-cure laws that require you to give the contractor an opportunity to fix any defect before you can take any action against them. This might also be called a right-to-repair law, notice of default or something similar.