What Is In A New York Severance Package?
We get a lot of questions about severance packages. People want to know what is in one and how much money they should contain.
New York severance packages vary from company to company and there is no set formula to determine their value.
In this article, the employment lawyers at Ottinger Employment Lawyers will go over what most severance packages in NY usually contain.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us online or call 347-492-1904 today for more information.
Severance Pay
Severance pay is an amount that the company has decided to pay a departing employee. I can be paid in a lump sum or paid out over time.
Some companies use rough formulas to determine severance pay and they range from one week’s pay for each year of employment to a month’s pay for each year of service or more.
Or the amount may not be linked to the length of employment.
Typically higher ranking company officers receive more money than lower-ranking employees.
Some top-level executives even have their severance pay determined in advance in their employment agreements.
There is no legal formula that must be followed and there is no rule requiring the payment of any severance.
Separation Agreement
This is a contract that sets out the terms of an employee’s separation from the company.
It will typically explain the amount of severance pay, the end date of employment, and any obligations that the employee owes to the company, such as a promise not to compete or steal clients or customers for a set time.
The agreement will usually contain a waiver of any rights including the ability to file a lawsuit against the company for anything.
Employees, of course, are not required to agree to any of these terms but the employee will usually not receive their severance pay unless they sign the agreement.
Outplacement Services
Many companies provide outplacement services as part of a severance package.
I have never seen much value in these services and usually ask companies to pay our clients more money in lieu of these services.
Some employees, however, find that these services are helpful.
Health Insurance
Health benefits usually end on an employee’s last day of employment.
Some companies will provide departing employees with a period of paid health insurance coverage as part of a severance package.
Most employers are required under COBRA to provide employees with the option of paying for their own health insurance at the company rate for 18 months.
COBRA notices are not usually part of a severance package.
Vacation Pay
Depending on a company’s policy, an employee may receive a check for any unused vacation pay and floating holidays.
Stock Options or Company Equity
A severance package will usually explain the value and payment terms of any equity interest owned by the employee.
Contact a New York Employment Lawyer Today
The New York employment lawyers at Ottinger Employment Lawyers offer a severance package review & consultation.
This includes a review of your severance package and a meeting with you over the phone to discuss the package.
We will identify potential problems and ways to improve the severance agreement terms.
Our New York employment attorneys can also advise you on the fairness of the offer.
To speak with an employment lawyer in New York today, call our firm at 347-492-1904 or send us an online message to get started.
Robert Ottinger, Esq.
Robert Ottinger is an employment attorney who focuses on representing executives and employees in employment disputes. Before starting his firm, Robert slugged it out in courtrooms trying cases for the government. Robert served as a Deputy Attorney General for the California Department of Justice in Los Angeles and then as Assistant Attorney General for the New York Attorney General’s Office in Manhattan.
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