Jacksonville Severance Agreement Lawyer

Common Clauses in Severance Packages

Severance agreements contain multiple provisions that extend beyond the payment amount. Understanding each clause helps you recognize what you are accepting. Those clauses may include:

• Severance pay represents the core financial component. This payment usually equals several weeks or months of your salary. The amount often reflects your years of service and position within the company.
• Release of claims provisions prevent you from filing lawsuits against your employer. These clauses typically cover discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wage violations. Once you sign, you waive your right to pursue these claims in court.
• Confidentiality agreements restrict what you can say about your employment and departure. These clauses may prevent you from discussing workplace conditions, your reasons for leaving, or the terms of your severance.
• Non-compete clauses limit where you can work after leaving your current employer. Florida law only enforces these restrictions when they protect legitimate business interests and impose reasonable geographic, time, and line of business limitations. A lawyer reviewing severance agreement terms can determine if these clauses are enforceable.
• Non-solicitation provisions prevent you from recruiting former colleagues or contacting company clients. These restrictions can significantly impact your ability to continue working in your field.
• Non-disparagement clauses prohibit negative statements about your former employer. Some agreements impose this obligation only on employees, while others create mutual restrictions.

Signing without review creates risks you may not anticipate. An unfavorable agreement can limit your career options and prevent you from seeking justice for workplace violations.

Employee Rights When Offered Severance

You have the right to take time before signing any severance agreement. Employers cannot force immediate decisions or threaten consequences if you need to review the terms carefully. 

Federal law also offers extra protections for workers over 40. Under the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, employers must give these employees at least 21 days to consider agreements that waive age discrimination claims. For group layoffs, this period extends to 45 days. After signing, you have 7 days to revoke your acceptance, giving you a chance to reconsider your decision. Certain rights cannot be waived, including filing charges with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), participating in EEOC investigations, or claiming unemployment benefits in most cases.

So, you may be wondering, “Should I have a lawyer look at my severance agreement?”  It is almost always wise to have a lawyer review your severance agreement. Employers draft these documents to protect company interests, not yours. Legal review is especially important if discrimination, harassment, or retaliation played a role in your termination, as you could be unknowingly giving up valuable claims.

Negotiating a Fair Severance Agreement

The initial offer your employer presents is often negotiable. Companies expect some discussion about terms and frequently have room to improve their proposals. For instance:

• You can request higher severance payments, particularly if you held a senior position or maintained a long tenure with the company. 
• Extended health insurance coverage provides valuable protection while you search for new employment. 
• You might negotiate for neutral reference agreements that prevent negative statements to prospective employers.
• Some employees ask to modify restrictive clauses to narrow their scope or shorten their duration. 
• You might negotiate for payment of unused benefits or acceleration of stock options.

Negotiation requires understanding your leverage and the value of any claims you might have. Legal assistance helps you identify which terms warrant pushback and how to structure proposals that employers will consider.

Your attorney can communicate directly with company representatives to remove emotion from discussions. This professional approach often yields better results than personal negotiations conducted during a stressful time.

Why You Need a Jacksonville Severance Agreement Lawyer

Cruz Law Firm, P.A. provides clear guidance to employees facing job loss and financial uncertainty. We carefully review severance agreements to identify unfair terms, hidden restrictions, and clauses that could impact your future employment opportunities. 

Our employment law attorneys assess whether the payment offered reflects fair compensation for the rights you are giving up and ensure the agreement complies with Florida and federal laws. We also evaluate potential legal claims to determine their strength and value. 

With nearly 20 years of combined experience and over $15 million recovered for clients, Cruz Law Firm, P.A. works to negotiate stronger severance terms for higher payments, extended benefits, and more favorable exit conditions. 

Protect Your Career and Consult a Jacksonville Severance Agreement Lawyer Today

Your severance agreement will affect your financial security and career prospects for months or years to come. The decisions you make now determine if you can pursue legal claims, work in your chosen field, and support yourself during your job search.

Do not sign any agreement before obtaining legal counsel. Employers have attorneys protecting their interests. You deserve the same level of experienced legal representation. Having a Jacksonville employment lawyer to review your severance agreement can protect you from costly mistakes. The terms you negotiate now will determine your options tomorrow.

Cruz Law Firm, P.A. serves employees throughout Jacksonville and the surrounding areas. We understand Florida employment law and how severance agreements affect your rights under state and federal statutes.

Contact Cruz Law Firm, P.A. today to schedule a consultation with a Jacksonville severance agreement lawyer. We will review your agreement, explain your rights, and help you make informed decisions about your future. Call or reach out online to discuss how we can protect your interests during this transition.