Employers, oftentimes, when laying off employees, will offer that employee what is known as a severance package, which, essentially, is an agreement that must be signed by the employee, and it generally gives the employee a final payment so they can search for a job without having to worry about finances for a certain period of time. That being said, there are many times where these agreements include certain clauses and stipulations that are either unfair, too vague, or downright dishonest. Please continue reading and speak with our knowledgeable Georgia employment law attorney before signing any such agreement. Here are some of the questions you may have:

What are some of the most common stipulations included in severance agreements?

No two severance agreements are the same, and, fortunately, in most cases, they are issued with good intentions, simply seeking to make your future job search less stressful. However, in other cases, employers include stipulations in these agreements which may actually not work to your benefit. Some of those stipulations are as follows:

• A proprietary information clause: These clauses protect the confidential information you’ve received about your company.
• A non-disparagement clause: These are designed to prevent employees from publicly saying anything negative or critical about their past employer.
• A non-solicitation clause: This bars individuals from recruiting or otherwise hiring co-workers from the company that laid you off.
• A non-compete clause: These clauses generally prevent individuals from seeking employment from direct competitors of their former employer for a predetermined period of time.
• A release of legal claims: This type of clause restricts individuals from making any sort of wrongful termination claims against their former employers. This is rather sneaky, as if you believe you were wrongfully terminated, signing this agreement may prevent you from saying so.

Can an employment attorney help me determine whether I should sign a severance agreement?

Yes. Our firm can review every aspect of your severance agreement and determine whether it is fair, or whether your employer is attempting to make life more challenging for you after leaving the workplace. In many cases, our firm can even renegotiate the terms of your severance agreement on your behalf so you receive something more favorable. If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to speak with our experineced Atlanta employment law attorney today.

CONTACT OUR EXPERIENCED GEORGIA FIRM

If you need help with an employment law matter in the state of Georgia, you can count on Ben Barrett Law to effectively represent your interests. With over 30 years of experience, Attorney Barrett has the skill and experience necessary to help you navigate the complexities of any employment law matter you may be facing. To discuss your case with a legal team you can trust, please do not hesitate to contact Ben Barrett Law today.