Questions to ask an employment lawyer about a severance offer

Write down the date you received the agreement and the date it says you must sign by. Give the lawyer both when you book. Some employment claims also have short filing deadlines, which depend on the claim and on where you work. This page cannot tell you yours. A lawyer can.

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• Which claims would I be giving up by signing, and are any excluded by law?
• Does the offer at least meet the minimum notice or pay that the law sets where I work, and what is offered beyond it?
• Is anything I am already owed, such as final pay or accrued vacation, being counted as severance?
• When and how would I be paid, and what happens to my benefits or health coverage?
• How will the payment be taxed, and should I also speak with a tax professional?

• Which restrictions from my hiring documents would still apply, such as non-compete or confidentiality terms?
• Are they likely to be enforceable where I live and work?
• What could I say about the company afterwards, and does that restriction apply to both sides?
• What will the employer say when asked for a reference?

• How long do I have to review the agreement, and is the deadline firm?
• Can I change my mind after signing, and how?
• Does my age, or whether others were let go at the same time, affect how long I have?

• Do you charge a flat fee, an hourly rate or a contingency fee to review a severance offer?
• If you negotiate a better offer, how is your fee calculated?
• Who would do the work, and can it be done before my deadline?

Bring the severance agreement, your offer letter or employment contract, anything you signed when you were hired, and your recent pay records. See what to bring to an employment lawyer consultation.