Should You Offer Severance Pay When Terminating an Employee?
Navigating Severance Pay: When and Why Should Employers Offer It?Terminating an employee is a challenging decision that often comes with important considerations, one of which is whether to offer severance pay. In this guide, we'll explore the ins and outs of severance pay, helping you understand when and why it might be beneficial for both your business and the departing employee.
What is Severance Pay?Severance pay represents a financial package offered by employers to employees transitioning out of the company. It extends beyond regular wages and often incorporates supplementary perks like ongoing health insurance coverage and support with job placement. Of significant importance in an employer's determination to provide severance is the inclusion of a legal claims release within these agreements.
Is Severance Pay Required by Law in Massachusetts?Unless you have a prior employment contract with the terminated employee that explicitly outlines severance terms, there is no legal obligation to provide additional compensation beyond their last paycheck, commissions, and accrued vacation time. However, it's common for employers to choose to offer severance, either as a company policy or to mitigate potential legal risks.
Mitigating Legal Risks: The Primary Consideration for Offering SeveranceIn most cases, when you make the difficult decision to terminate an employee, you may not believe they have valid legal claims against your company. Consequently, many employers hesitate to provide severance, particularly when an employee is let go due to poor performance or problematic workplace behavior.
However, it's crucial to bear in mind that the cost of defending against a groundless claim can be as substantial as defending a robust one. This means that even if you ultimately prevail in a lawsuit, you could still incur tens of thousands of dollars or more in legal fees. It's a compelling reason why many employers opt to offer severance, even when they do not perceive any credible legal claims that could be brought against them. How to Calculate a Fair Severance PackageWhen your primary objective is to minimize legal risk, it's important to offer a severance package that strikes a balance. It should be sufficient to make the departing employee comfortable signing the agreement while avoiding the impression that you anticipate a lawsuit. This juncture is an ideal time to seek guidance from an experienced employment termination and severance attorney, who can provide expert advice tailored to your specific circumstances.
In addition to legal counsel, several factors come into play when determining a fair and reasonable severance amount: 1. Length of Employee's Service:
Severance Pay and Its Impact on Unemployment BenefitsIt's important to understand the relationship between severance pay and unemployment benefits. If your severance agreement includes a release of claims (as it typically should), the employee is eligible to collect unemployment benefits concurrently, regardless of whether the severance is provided as a lump sum or through salary continuation.
Conversely, if you opt to offer severance pay without stipulating a release of claims, the employee will need to wait until the severance payments have been depleted before becoming eligible to receive unemployment benefits. |
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