5 Steps To Take When Evaluating Severance Offers
One of my readers has just experienced a layoff and we have been chatting about what she is going through. As a result, I have been thinking about this topic a lot today. I wanted to get some additional information to share with you. I am sure that there are others who have dealt with being laid off and I trust these posts will help. If you want to catch up on the dialog, take a look at this article I wrote a couple of days ago - Does A Severance Package Equals Termination?
I found an article tonight at a site called WetFeet.com, called 5 Steps to take in Evaluating Your Severance Offer.
Here are the 5 Steps to take in Evaluating Your Severance Offer:
1. Evaluate What Leverage You Have
2. Consult Lawyers If Necessary
3. Decide Whether You Want to Negotiate
4. Approach Your Employer With A Fair Offer
5. Come To An Acceptable Resolution
One of the reasons I thought these 5 steps would be useful is that I realized today that many times Severance Packages are used as leverage by the organization. They use the package to help you remain loyal to them and to ensure that you don’t open your mouth about things that may damage them.
As I thought about this today, I realized that too many of us have taken the money and walked away. My question is at what cost? What does it cost men and women who leave organizations unexpectedly? Maybe you’re not even sure why you’re leaving. What are your thoughts? What experiences have you had with getting severance packages? How do you feel about the use of Severance Packages in organizations today?
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2 opinions for 5 Steps To Take When Evaluating Severance Offers
Toto15
Feb 14, 2008 at 9:12 pm
Darlene, I have know idea why i was sent walking. I have spent time examining my part in the play and still think i was the scapegoat. Severance offers are buyoffs for the organization when they either don’t have anything or want to make themselves feel better knowing they aren’t going to meet you in court or EEOC one day. Thinking about it now, i am not sure whether i did the right thing ethically taking it and walking away or standing up better for myself knowing i am not a bad leader and contributed alot of good to the organization. I guess psychoanalysis is the only thing left!! But i don’t have a job.
Darlene McDaniel
Feb 16, 2008 at 5:33 pm
Hi Toto! First, I apologize for taking so long to respond to your comment. I have been very busy over the last few days.
I am sorry that you don’t have a job. I can tell you from personal experience that I do regret taking a severance package without fighting. I blame the organization for their fear, and their unwillingness to see value in what I brought to their organization. I am a great employee and was a great employee for them. I didn’t fit what they were looking for at the time and today, I am really ok with that piece of it. I have forgiven myself for not fighting and walking away.
I don’t know about psychoanalysis, but I know that you can allow it to hold you back or you can use it to propel you into your future and into your purpose. We all have one. Find yours, let the organization go. Unless you are willing to go back and fight to resolution, move forward! Run and never look back. Believe it or not, something better is out there for you. An organization and a job, and people who will value you for what you bring to the table. Good Luck! Please let me know if there is anything I can do to assist you in your job search!
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