You’ve worked hard for your company. But in this economy, jobs come and go with great frequency. If you are being let go by your employer, he or she may offer you a severance agreement. This document should provide you with something substantial in exchange for your leaving. Further, the document should include very specific terms — you should have a clear understanding of the provisions of the contract.
Yet unless you have a legal background, you may be entirely unfamiliar with the law and severance agreements in general. Following are some of the ways an attorney in New Jersey can help you negotiate a fair severance agreement:
- Ensure you are properly compensated: Your first concern when accepting a severance agreement is to determine if you are being properly compensated. Your lawyer can review the agreement and advise you if signing it would be financially in your best interests.
- Help you receive money owed: Does your employer owe you money for unused vacation time or other expenses? If so, your attorney can negotiate a severance agreement that pays you back.
- Determine which claims not to release: Employers ask employees to sign severance agreements to obtain a release by the employee of legal claims. However, there are many potential claims and entitlements you may not want to release. A knowledgeable attorney can review your severance agreement and advise you as to what amendments should be made.
- Negotiate a carve-out: Another reason employers use severance agreements is to protect confidential information. A savvy lawyer may be able to help you negotiate a carve-out agreement that allows you to use certain information that is valuable to your future business endeavors.
Neil H. Deutsch has been practicing law for over 35 years and is known as a skilled negotiator in employment and discrimination law. He believes in a bottom-line approach of risk analysis and cost effectiveness for his clients. "Case evaluation is something we take seriously," says Mr. Deutsch who seeks top net dollar for his…
Bruce L. Atkins is the Senior Managing Partner at Deutsch Atkins & Kleinfeldt P.C., a prominent plaintiff employment law firm in the tri-state area. Mr. Atkins believes employees’ rights should be aggressively pursued when they’ve been wrongfully dealt with by their employers. He brings this philosophy to his practice when considering each case and its…
Adam J. Kleinfeldt joined Deutsch Atkins & Kleinfeldt, P.C. in March of 2015. He primarily represents individuals in employment litigation such as discrimination, retaliation and whistle blowing matters. He has extensive experience in all phases of the litigation process. Adam has obtained significant results for his clients, including a $525,000 jury verdict in a sexual…
Debra M. McGarvey joined Deutsch Atkins & Kleinfeldt, P.C. in December 2019. She has extensive experience defending employees and employers in state and federal court in employment litigation matters. She has represented clients on various issues arising out of the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD), the New Jersey Conscientious Employee Protection Act (CEPA), the…
Carly Skarbnik Meredith, Esq. is a Partner at the firm. Carly has focused her career exclusively in the field of employment law. She has a plethora of experience representing both employees and employers with their employment issues, needs, and concerns. She believes representing both employees and employers has made her an extremely well-rounded client advocate.…
