Severance Agreements

Oftentimes an employer will provide an employee with a “severance agreement” or “separation agreement” upon discharge, lay-off, or job elimination. These agreements generally provide the employee with monetary compensation, which can vary, and other benefits. In exchange, the employee signs a general release, discharging the employer from any and all legal obligations.

Webb & Scarmozzino will review your severance agreement to verify that the terms and conditions meet all legal requirements and is fair for you. Specifically, employers must comply with the provision of the Federal Older Workers Benefit Protection Act that was passed in 1990; it became clearly illegal for employers:

• to use an employee's age as the basis for discrimination in benefits, and
  
• to target older workers for their staff cutting programs.
  

Our firm has extensive experience in drafting severance agreements and negotiating compensation and other benefits. We are available to prepare, review, and give legal advice on severance agreements.