The Separation IndexThe Separation Index Blog
Guides on severance, WARN Act rights, and how companies handle exits.
Severance and Your Taxes. What Often Gets Overlooked
Severance pay is taxed differently than people often expect, and a lump sum can create a real, unwelcome surprise at tax time.
Read →Should You Sign the First Severance Offer?
The first offer is rarely the final offer. Here is why signing immediately is usually a mistake, even when the pressure to do so feels real.
Read →Which States Actually Require Severance Pay
Severance pay feels like it should be a guaranteed right. In nearly every state, it is not. Here is where the exceptions apply.
Read →What to Negotiate Beyond the Severance Check
The cash number is only one part of a severance offer. Here is everything else that is typically on the table.
Read →Severance Packages Are Shrinking. Here Is What the Data Shows
The median severance package has fallen substantially since 2023. Here is what changed and what it means if you are negotiating one now.
Read →What a Non-Disparagement Clause Can and Can't Stop You From Saying
Non-disparagement clauses are common in severance agreements, but they're narrower than most people assume, and broader in a few specific ways.
Read →Do You Have to Sign an NDA to Get Severance
Severance agreements often come bundled with confidentiality language. Here's what that typically covers, and what it generally doesn't.
Read →Severance 101: What's Standard, What's Negotiable
There's no legal minimum for severance in most cases. That makes knowing what's typical, and what's actually up for negotiation, more important.
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