When your employment ends—whether through resignation, layoff, or another circumstance—you may be handed a stack of documents. Among them will be your severance agreement. It is very common to have questions about your package, such as:
- Is what I’m being offered fair?
- Do I have the right to ask for more?
- How do I know when to sign—and when to push back?
Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place. At The Noble Law, we are here to guide you through these questions with a deep understanding of the emotional weight and financial consequences behind each decision. We work closely with you to help negotiate a fair contract that reflects the full value of your contributions to the workplace.
What’s Typically Included in a Severance Package?
Severance packages vary widely by industry, role, experience, and circumstances. In any event, there will be strings attached to the payment promised in the agreement.
Your severance package may include the following:
- Severance pay: This amount is usually based on the length of service. Employers often calculate it using a formula tied to your years of employment, but it can be open to negotiation.
- Health insurance continuation: You will have the ability to extent your current insurance through COBRA, and your employer may agree to cover some or all of your premiums.
- Payout of unused PTO, bonuses, or commissions: If you’ve accrued paid time off or earned bonuses or commissions, these may be included in your final compensation depending on company policy and state law.
- Equity or stock options: Some severance packages include provisions for vesting unearned equity or extending deadlines to exercise stock options.
- Outplacement Assistance: Services may include career coaching, résumé writing, or job placement resources to help you transition more smoothly.
- Non-compete, non-disparagement, or confidentiality terms: These clauses can restrict your ability to work in specific roles or speak openly about your former employer, and they require careful review.
- A release of legal claims: In exchange for the severance benefits, you will be asked to waive your right to bring future legal action against your employer.
Why You Should Pause Before Signing
It’s natural to want closure after a job ends. But acting too quickly on your severance package can mean giving up rights you may not even realize you had.
Before signing, ask yourself:
- Were you pressured to resign?
- Do you believe you were wrongfully terminated?
- Is there a history of discrimination or retaliation?
- Have you raised workplace concerns in the past?
- Are the severance terms overly restrictive?
If these questions resonate, you may benefit from legal guidance. Employment law attorneys at The Noble Law can review your proposed severance package, clarify the terms, and evaluate your offer as it compares to industry norms. If you’ve experienced workplace discrimination or suspect retaliation, legal review is critical to protect your rights and interests.
Finding Common Ground in Severance Discussions
Are you hesitant to negotiate a severance agreement because you don’t want to “burn bridges?” Keep in mind, negotiation doesn’t need to be aggressive. A thoughtful, respectful counteroffer can often lead to a better outcome without damaging relationships.
When negotiating, you may consider asking for:
- Additional weeks of severance pay
- Employer-paid COBRA coverage for a defined period
- Payment of bonuses or commissions already earned
- A later termination date to bridge healthcare gaps
- Clearer or more favorable language in non-compete or reference clauses
As trusted counsel for workplace disputes, attorneys at The Noble Law support clients in strategizing thoughtful revision requests.
Your Leverage Might Be Greater Than You Think
Even if you choose not to pursue legal action, the possibility of doing so and the risk it presents to your employer can influence how they meet you in negotiations. If you believe the decision to terminate your employment was based on unlawful discrimination or retaliation, do not be afraid to assert your legal rights to gain additional leverage.
Your role in the company’s success, length of employment, and knowledge of internal (and confidential) practices can all strengthen your position. Our legal counsel helps you recognize these leverage points and communicate them in a way that supports your goals without escalating conflict.
How The Noble Law Can Support You
Evaluating a severance package is not just transactional—it can be deeply personal. You’ve invested time, energy, and identity into your work. When that ends abruptly, it can be destabilizing. We are here to help you regain your footing.
At The Noble Law, we share your goals: to affirm your dignity and obtain the compensation you deserve.
Whether you’re an executive negotiating a substantial exit or a long-serving employee navigating an unexpected departure, our role is to provide clear legal advice grounded in your goals and reality, and not one-size-fits-all solutions.
Talk to Trusted Counsel for Workplace Disputes
If you’re in North Carolina or South Carolina and facing a severance decision, The Noble Law is ready to support you. We bring practical insight, focused legal strategies, and a commitment to listening, because this moment matters. Every situation is unique. Your story is, too. Let’s talk about what’s right for you. Contact The Noble Law today for a confidential consultation to discuss your severance agreement.
About The Noble Law Firm
The Noble Law is a women-owned employment law firm with offices in North Carolina and South Carolina, founded by Laura Noble in 2009. Specializing in wrongful termination, workplace harassment, workplace retaliation, workplace mediation, and neutral third-party investigations, the firm is committed to leveling the playing field for employees. Their focus is on delivering positive outcomes with empathy and integrity, while also driving societal change in employment law.
The firm emphasizes diversity, collaboration, and innovation, fostering a balanced work environment that values the personal lives of its staff. With a strong commitment to technology and efficiency, The Noble Law provides personalized attention to a select group of clients, handling cases involving harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and more. The team’s extensive litigation experience allows them to deliver thorough and assertive representation.
