Texas's WARN Act ensures protection for workers facing layoffs or plant closures. Employers in Texas are mandated to provide advance notice to employees when aware of impending closures or layoffs. This notice serves to offer employees adequate time to explore alternative employment options.
During negotiations, emphasize your contributions to the company. Highlight your achievements, skills, and the value you brought to your role. Demonstrating your positive impact can strengthen your position and make a case for more favorable severance terms.
Approach it like a 'soft' negotiation; pitch your proposal, explain why you want to be made redundant, why it's important to you, explain why you think it's a good time for you and the business. And then be silent. Wait for your manager's response.
The agreement must be backed by consideration. The employer must give something of value to the employee in exchange for the agreement. Employees must have 21 days to consider the severance offer, or 45 days if more than one employee is laid off as part of a group lay off.
First you can simply ask. The offer of severance is not a legal obligation. It is an attempt by the employer to assure that you will never make any claims against it. Some times simply asking for more can trigger a discussion, but do not count on it. Especially in a RIF where many people are involved.
The terms of each agreement can vary greatly, and the initial severance package offered may not adequately compensate you for the loss of your job and the legal rights you're waiving. It's also not uncommon for employers to impose deadlines, attempting to pressure you into accepting a less favorable offer.
A severance process is a series of events (e.g., letters, To Do entries, field activities) that lead to the severance of a service agreement. A separate severance process is required for each service agreement to be severed.
Keep it professional. Use business reasons, such as your performance record or time with the company, when negotiating the terms of your severance package rather than personal details, such as having a baby or buying a house. Be wary of non-compete clauses.