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Can I negotiate a higher severance package?

By
Greg Giangrande
Published May 28, 2023, 7:41 a.m. ET
Negotiating.
You have nothing to lose by making a case for a bigger severance package. Shutterstock

I was recently laid off, and the company has offered me a severance package. However, the amount they’ve come up with doesn’t seem to be sufficient given my age and how long it will take me to find another job. How negotiable are companies in these circumstances?

“These circumstances” are the critical words here.

I’m sorry that you’ve lost your job, but each company and termination presents a unique set of circumstances.

Generally speaking, you have nothing to lose by asking for more.

Some employees get lawyers and make claims (true or not) to try to secure bigger severance packages.

Others take a more measured approach and make a case based on length of service, performance and other situations, including age.

Some companies are open to negotiating in order to arrive at a place where the departing employee feels satisfied.

Others stick to a formula. It just all depends.

But ask — and if you feel better having someone advocate for you on your behalf, get an attorney.

Answering emails.
It’s expected that returning to the office from vacation will result in a temporary surge of work. Shutterstock

My boss went on vacation for two weeks and was unplugged most of that time. Now that he’s back in the office, he’s sending emails and requests nonstop, night and day. I think it’s unfair that he let things back up, and now I have to work overtime when I had other plans. Can I say something?

Sure you can, but it’s risky because your boss did what more people should do, which is to actually unplug and enjoy his vacation.

I’m sure that your workload and pressure subsided greatly as a result during the time he was away, too.

So, you should have expected that your boss’ return would create a surge of work.

If you need help managing it all, discuss it with him, and tell him that you need some assistance to prioritize the logjam in activity.

But anything that sounds like you are complaining may land you on an extended vacation.

Gregory Giangrande has over 25 years of experience as a chief human resources executive. Hear Greg Wed. at 9:35 a.m. on iHeartRadio 710 WOR with Len Berman and Michael Riedel. Email: [email protected]. Follow: GoToGreg.com and on Twitter: @GregGiangrande