Many employees who have lost their jobs are concerned about how potential employers might view a job termination. After all, we’ve seen the press about employers who are only interested in hiring employees away from their competitors and do not wish to receive resumes from the ranks of the unemployed. In negotiating a severance agreement in Massachusetts, an employee may wish to consider ways in which the agreement can assist their job search, protect their reputation, and ease the way into a new position. Here are five ways an employee in Massachusetts can protect his or her reputation and job search with a severance agreement:
1. Inquiries From Potential Employers
What will the company disclose to potential employers about the employee and the reason for the termination? How is this addressed in your agreement? What are the options? We advise employees on these matters.
2. Internal and External Announcements
What can your managers say about you? How is this addressed in your agreement? We advise employees on these matters.
3. Outplacement Services
What do employers provide for outplacement services? How might this be useful to you in determining your next steps? We advise employees on these matters.
4. Confidentiality
Who will know about your agreement, and how might that impact your reputation and future employment? We advise employees on these matters.
5. Structuring Your Employment Transition
Are there ways in which structuring your employment transition might protect your reputation and allow you to search for a new position? We advise employees on these matters.
Why Severance Agreement Terms Matter for Your Job Search
Severance agreements are complex documents that are typically drafted first from the employer’s perspective. There are ways in which an employee can negotiate provisions in the agreement that will help in a job search and protect that employee’s reputation.
Questions About Your Severance Agreement? Talk to a Massachusetts Employment Lawyer
If you have any questions concerning this post, please contact the employment attorneys at the Maura Greene Law Group for a confidential consultation, or call us at (617) 936-1580.
Maura Greene is AV-rated, which is a peer review rating and is the highest rating an individual attorney may achieve. She has been rated a Super Lawyer in employment consistently since 2013.