Stage 6 · Lesson 2 of 7
Read the severance agreement before you sign
is money the company offers when it ends your job, often in exchange for signing an agreement. That agreement usually includes a , meaning you give up the right to make legal claims against the company, and may add confidentiality, (not criticising the company) and sometimes non-compete or non-solicit terms.
Do not sign on the spot. Ask how long you have; in the US, workers aged 40 or over get 21 days to consider it, or 45 in a group layoff, plus 7 days to change their mind. Read every clause, compare the numbers with your contract and local law, and ask an if the amount is large or something looks wrong.
A polite request for more, such as extra weeks of pay, a later end date or keeping your laptop, sometimes works.
Common trapsigning away rights for less than the law already gives you.
A question to check yourself, an AI practice session and 3 cheat sheet entries come when you add the roadmap to your account. Add it
Resources for this stage
Keep handy
Also worth your time
Calm, specific wording for money conversations, useful for severance and the next offer
- Sefism 1:1 MentorshipGo deeper
Talk through your next steps with someone outside your company