If you're getting laid off from your job, should you sign the papers right away?

by **baigh75** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 8:34 am

Our company is laying off people, and I've talked with a few of them after they got the axe. They were brought into an office and met by the HR Director, the corporate attorney, and their supervisor. They were told that they were being laid off, and a bunch of documents were pushed in front of them. They were told that this was the "best deal" they would receive as severance, and that they should sign the papers. As in, sign them NOW. They said that the company isn't required by law to give any severance, and that if they don't sign NOW, they might not get anything at all.

I'm thinking that if I'm called in to that office and they shove a bunch of papers to me, I'm going to want to have my attorney review them. After all, THEIR attorney is sitting right there across the table!

But, I know that under our messed-up system, the company doesn't have to pay a dime to me after 20 years of service. Should I risk any potential severance by not signing the documents, or should I seek out the services of an attorney?

What are your thoughts?

by **max** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 8:46 am

As stated, the offering of severance pay is the company's decision. Are you sure that your attorney is going to be able to force them somehow into giving you a severance package if they decide against it, or force them to give you a higher severance than you might be offered? And are you sure that it would be worth the fight, after you pay the attorney for his or her time and efforts?

by **shen86** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 8:48 am

If your company doesn't have to pay you a dime in severance, why risk it?

It isn't as if you had no idea this was coming, the time to talk to an attorney was when you first learned about it.
If and when this happens, if you go the " I want to to talk to my attorney" route,. they might just reply, " it's now or never, take it or leave it." Your call.

by **wardell** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 8:59 am

Your call. You're right, they aren't required to give you severance so you could be endangering getting that. At the very least, I'd be sure to read every word - and wouldn't sign if there was anything I didn't understand, and be sure you get a copy to take with you. I'd particularly look for wording that said anything that you were resigning voluntarily. If they aren't trying to slip something past you, sounds very weird they'd insist that it be signed on the spot.

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