Employers are quite adept in drafting some of the most unfair severance agreements possible! While some reek of intentional malice or incompetence, others might use tricky language and coercion to do their bidding. As such, signing a severance agreement requires that an employee thinks twice, or even thrice!
Once you’ve identified that the severance agreement facing you is unfair, it’s essential to seek legal action. The expert Connecticut severance package lawyer has seen various such agreements, and knows exactly what to do. Here’s how they can help you get a better severance package…
Legal Expertise and Guidance
Lawyers are well-versed in employment law and understand the intricacies of severance agreements, including the legal rights and obligations of both parties. They can assess the fairness of an agreement and identify any provisions that may be problematic. With this knowledge, an attorney can advise employees on their options, explain the implications of different clauses, and provide a clear understanding of their rights under the law.
Negotiation of Better Terms
Employment lawyers are skilled negotiators who can advocate on behalf of employees to secure better severance terms. They understand the strategies and tactics that can be used to persuade employers to offer more favorable conditions. Lawyers can negotiate for increased severance pay, extended benefits, or other provisions that benefit the employee. By leveraging their negotiation skills, attorneys can help level the playing field and ensure that employees receive a fair and equitable severance package.
Emotional Distance in Negotiations
Emotions can run high during severance negotiations, especially when an employee feels they have been treated unfairly. An employment lawyer provides the necessary emotional distance to handle negotiations professionally and objectively. By remaining calm and focused, attorneys can effectively communicate with employers and avoid any potential conflicts that could arise from emotional exchanges. This objectivity allows the lawyer to concentrate on achieving the best possible outcome for the employee.
Protection Against Unfair Clauses
Severance agreements may contain clauses that are overly restrictive or unfair to the employee, such as non-compete agreements, confidentiality provisions, or waiver of legal claims. Employment lawyers can identify these problematic clauses and negotiate to have them modified or removed. By doing so, they protect the employee’s future career opportunities and legal rights. Lawyers can also ensure that the terms of the agreement comply with applicable laws and do not violate any state or federal regulations.
Ensuring Compliance with Legal Standards
Severance agreements must comply with legal standards and regulations to be enforceable. Employment lawyers ensure that the terms of the agreement meet these standards and do not violate any laws. For example, agreements must adhere to the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) requirements, which mandate specific language and consideration periods for employees over 40.
Escalating to Litigation or Lawsuit as Required
In some cases, negotiations may not yield the desired results, and litigation may become necessary. An experienced employment lawyer can assess the situation and determine whether escalating to a lawsuit is the appropriate course of action. If so, they can represent the employee in court and advocate for their rights. By having a lawyer prepared to litigate if needed, employees can demonstrate to employers that they are serious about obtaining fair treatment.
A quality severance agreement can make particularly difficult times easier to handle. In fact, you deserve it! So don’t let any employer or contract coerce you into signing an agreement. If you believe it’s unfair, get it verified from an expert employment lawyer.
This way, you not only get quality legal guidance, but can also seek legal action against your employer. Your employment lawyer has the skill-set necessary to get you the justice you deserve!
