New York Severance Agreement Attorneys

New York is an at-will state, which gives your employer the right to fire you at any time, for any reason, as long as they are not in violation of federal and state employment laws.

In some cases, your employer might choose to offer you a severance package and ask you to sign a severance agreement, signifying the end of your employment relationship. However, before signing any such agreement, it is important to have it reviewed by a New York severance agreement lawyer in order to make sure the terms and conditions do not violate your rights as an employee.

At Levine & Blit, we have a team of award-winning employment lawyers who have extensive experience in negotiating employment and severance agreements. We can review the agreement offered by your employer, determine if the terms violate federal or state employment laws, and negotiate a better agreement with your employer if necessary.

Severance Agreements – Why They Matter and What You Need to Know

The first thing you should know about a severance agreement is that it is meant to benefit your employer – not you. Under New York law, employers are not legally obligated to provide you with a severance package while terminating you. If your employer still chooses to do so, it means that they want to protect their own interests.

For instance, the agreement might contain a non-compete provision that can prohibit you from accepting a job with your employer’s competitor. Similarly, it might contain a non-disparagement provision that might prohibit you from saying anything negative about your employer and your workplace.

Provisions of this type, depending on how they are worded, could infringe upon your rights under federal and state laws. Only a reliable and genuine New York severance agreement lawyer can determine whether the provisions are legally valid or not.

The most important reason why your employer might ask you to sign a severance agreement is to get you to waive your rights to sue them for discrimination or harassment. Once you sign the agreement, you might no longer be able to take legal action against them for violating your rights. This is why the New York severance agreement lawyers at Levine & Blit generally advise our clients not to sign any agreement or accept any severance pay from their employer without knowing what they are giving up in return.

Do Not Sign That Severance Agreement!

Layoffs and terminations can be stressful. You suddenly find yourself without a steady source of income, and you may panic. If your company offers you a severance package or separation agreement, you may see it as an answer to your worries.

A severance package may not be the salvation you think it is. Before you sign a separation agreement, it is highly recommended to have it reviewed by an experienced employment lawyer. The New York City employment law attorneys at Levine & Blit have extensive experience with severance agreements. We can help you decipher the agreement and negotiate the terms before you sign it.

Don’t sign a severance agreement without consulting with a New York employment lawyer. Contact our law firm today for a phone evaluation.

Severance Packages Are Written for Your Employer – Protect Yourself

You may not realize it, but companies are not required to offer severance packages (unless stated in your initial employment contract). In most cases, the organizations aren’t offering the agreement for your benefit. It is for theirs.

Many organizations offer separation agreements in the hopes of avoiding lawsuits or other issues with disgruntled employees. They also pay their attorneys to carefully draft these agreements to include clauses often missed by an untrained eye.

Don’t unknowingly sign your rights away. Have your severance agreement reviewed by an experienced employment law attorney before you sign.

One of our employment lawyers can:

• Review your agreement
• Explain the hidden legal ramifications
• Negotiate the agreement so it better benefits you

Understand What You Are Signing

There is no such thing as a “standard agreement.” Each separation agreement is crafted to benefit a company’s specific needs. Companies offer you a settlement in hopes you will blindly sign the agreement and not realize what you are signing.

Severance agreements may include:

• Non-compete clauses that prohibit you from taking jobs with direct competitors
• Verbiage that states you release all legal claims against your employer, preventing you from taking legal action
• Payment of monies already owed to you (unused vacation, etc.) that do not require a separate agreement

Don’t take a chance with your separation agreement. Speak with one of our New York City severance agreement attorneys by calling before you sign

You May Be Entitled to Obtain Maximum Compensation

If you did suffer from discrimination or harassment at your workplace, you are still entitled to pursue legal action. Depending how long you were harassed or discriminated against and the nature and extent of the harassment or discrimination you were subjected to, you might be able to recover a substantial amount of compensation from your employer. The severance package offered by your employer might not even be a fraction of what you stand to recover if you file a lawsuit. Getting the agreement vetted by a reliable and accomplished NYC severance lawyer is the only way to prevent losing out on what you deserve.

Experienced Westchester, NY Severance Agreement Lawyers Ready to Assist You

If you have been offered a severance package or agreement by your employer, the severance agreement lawyers at Levine & Blit can review it to ensure you are not signing away important employee rights.

Our severance attorneys in Westchester, NY, are recognized for their deep knowledge of federal and state employment laws, strong legal skills, and proven negotiation strategies. We can negotiate with your employer for a more favorable severance package, or, if necessary, pursue harassment or discrimination claims in court to protect your rights and interests.

To learn how we can assist you, call us today at 646-461-6838 or contact us online to schedule a free case evaluation with a New York severance agreement lawyer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Timeframe for Signing a Severance Agreement?

You typically have a few days to a couple of weeks to review a severance agreement. Employees 40 or older must get at least 21 days to consider it and 7 days to revoke under federal law. Always review carefully and consult a severance lawyer Westchester, NY to protect your rights.

Is It Possible to Negotiate a Higher Severance Package?

Yes, you can often negotiate for a better severance package. Employers may be willing to adjust pay, benefits, or other terms, especially if you have leverage, such as length of service, performance history, or potential legal claims.

Am I Entitled to Severance if I’ve Been Laid Off or Fired?

Severance is not automatically guaranteed unless your employment contract, company policy, or a collective bargaining agreement provides for it. Some employers offer severance voluntarily, often depending on your length of service or the circumstances of your departure. An experienced New York City lawyer can review your situation and help determine if you are eligible and negotiate terms that protect your interests.