3 Severance Pay Questions Every Employee Should Ask

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When a company closes is it legal for some employes such as the supervisor or anyone in a high position get severance pay but not everyone.

Lepearl Williams of TN 12:27PM May 10, 2013

I am an administrator of four clinics which are privately owned, I do not like some of the business practices that are involved in the past year, I am going to resign I have been with them for 16 yrs for which 14 as an admin. I am going to ask to be able to draw my unemployment, ask for lump sum of six months pay up front, a letter of recommendation and in return I will sign a privacy statement please advise if any thoughts on this, I am wondering do I get legal advice on the front end or the back end of the agreement or contract. thx

Giovanna of KY 7:00PM April 16, 2013

Does anyone answer questions on this forum or what? These people have legit concerns that I am sure need answers in a timely manner. If you are going to post a topic on assisting someone, please be prepared to answer their questions.

B Mac of CA 8:07PM April 05, 2013

I was laid off after 10 years..secretarial position no longer neede..rec'd 9 weeks severance and 17 weeks salary continuation with the stipulation that I release them from an claims, suits, blah,blah,blah. Can I get unemployment after this money runs out ? Live in New York.. Should I apply now and see what happens I am also covered under their health insurance for this 6 month period...

E bezner of NY 9:27AM April 04, 2013

My company is undergoing a major downsizing and began sending out layoff notices a few weeks ahead of previously-notified schedule. My friend was one of the first to be notified but the HR and Upper Management that notified him didn't let him out of the room until he signed the paper. Is that considered an intimidation tactic?

Marcus K. of CA 1:36AM March 24, 2013

In my severance pay package of one months pay the employer has added that I will not in the future sue them. Is this legal and what's the purpose? Also after my one month severance runs out will I be able to apply for unemployment benefits? It says if I don't agree with these terms and sign the document I will not be paid. Thank you for your time.

Pat Stelter of CO 10:58AM March 04, 2013

I work for a payroll dept and I have a question, we will pay 8 weeks of severance pay to an employee but this employee has child support, can we still deducting it from his payroll-severance pay?

helio de la torre of MN 10:32AM February 28, 2013

If I've worked for a company for 15 years that did offer severence when I signed on, but changed policy and do not offer it now. Shouldn't I be grand-fathered in with the policy I became employed under? Does my company have the right to dismiss me after all these years without severence? They won't even pay my vacation pay.

Debra M. of GA 1:19PM January 15, 2013

Does a severance package affect the retirement or 401 K plan? I'm close to retirement but might be offered a severance pkg before I retire.

Dianne of CA 2:38PM December 02, 2012

My husband is a Family Physican and has a signed contract for 3 years with a hospital In his contract its states that if he is terminated he will recieve 180 days serverance pay .He was terminated without cause .Probably due to his generous contract from the hospital .They asked him to work the next 30 days which he has and in that letter from the CEO it say he will get a lump sum of his severance pay on his last day of work ? Now they are sending him letters saying they have to Hire a Locum Tenan to replace him and find a new doctor to replace him permentley They let him go without cause and have stated repeatdly that it was nothing he did wrong .In his contract his salary was to go up 20 thousand more a year ,which was the date he received his termination The hospital was bought out by a company thats does this to alot of Doctors .He worked his 30 days out as they ask him to do and may i add very gracefully ,Now there stating they cant afford to pay him his severance pay .Should we hire an attorney and with a signed contract is this legal ?

Becky Foster of VA 2:18PM September 24, 2012