| Given that the economy is nowhere near as | | | | requests for fair treatment. In some cases, |
| strong as it could be, more and more companies | | | | particularly if you only have experience with a |
| are looking at layoffs as an option that will help | | | | given system and way of doing things, you may |
| them to stay in business. No matter how great | | | | find that your past employer is willing to offer an |
| you are at your job, there is a risk of the | | | | additional stipend that will help you to get training |
| company eliminating your position - and if that | | | | as you look for a new job. |
| happens, it's likely that they will offer you a | | | | 3. The negotiation process is about making a clear |
| severance package. What many people don't | | | | and professional case for each item that you are |
| know is that negotiating a severance package is | | | | requesting. Because of this, it's important to |
| possible. | | | | determine what the severance package contains |
| Before you really start thinking about negotiating | | | | before you try to get something more. |
| a severance package however, there are a | | | | Ultimately, some severance packages are |
| couple of things to consider. The most important | | | | extremely fair; others seem to be more of a |
| thing to remember is that negotiating a severance | | | | token effort than anything else. If you are laid off |
| package is not about exacting your revenge on | | | | and aware of the opportunity to negotiate the |
| the employer that terminated your position. | | | | package offered, you will want to be sure that |
| But just what is negotiating a severance package | | | | you know what your employer is offering; in |
| about? | | | | some cases, it really will be best to accept the |
| 1. First, negotiating about the package that you | | | | package as it is written. However that doesn't |
| are offered is something that gives you the | | | | mean that you should just assume that you're |
| opportunity to ask for something more realistic. If, | | | | getting the best possible deal. |
| as an example, you have worked with the same | | | | Before negotiating a severance package, make |
| company in the same position for a number of | | | | sure that you know when you must respond - |
| years, you are likely to look at an offer of two | | | | your employer will give you a deadline - then read |
| months of pay differently than someone given | | | | through the offer. If it seems unrealistic or grossly |
| the same offer who'd been with the company | | | | unfair, you may want to talk to a lawyer about |
| less than a year. Additionally, if your expertise is | | | | your situation to ensure that you have a solid |
| limited and it's unlikely that a similar position will | | | | argument. When you are able to point out the |
| open up elsewhere, you may be able to | | | | flaws of the severance package as offered and |
| successfully argue for pay over a longer period of | | | | to make a clear, professional case for each |
| time. | | | | request that you're making, however, you just |
| 2. Similarly, negotiating with your employer about | | | | might find that it's possible to come away with |
| a severance package is a chance to make | | | | more than initially offered. |