Palm Beach Gardens Severance Agreement Attorney
Florida law does not require employers to offer any form of severance pay to departing employees. Yet some employers do elect to offer such additional compensation, usually in exchange for the employee signing a severance agreement. Of course, employers are usually not doing this out of a sense of generosity or appreciation. Rather, these agreements often contain valuable legal protections for the employer’s interests.
Before you potentially sign away your rights as an employee, it is best to first consult with a qualified Palm Beach Gardens severance agreements attorney. The Sconzo Law Office, P.A., assists clients who are looking to maximize their leverage when negotiating such contracts. We understand the potential risks to workers of waiving their potential rights to sue an employer for illegal actions, as well as the unfair restrictions that may be imposed on employees after they sign on the dotted line.
What Can a Florida Severance Agreement Contain?
A severance agreement is a legally binding contract between the employer and the departing employee. As previously noted, the law does not require such agreements to end an employment relationship. Absent any pre-existing employment contract, an employer is free to fire an employee at any time without offering a reason or special severance compensation. Similarly, the employee is free to quit and potentially sue the employer for any possible violations of labor or civil rights laws.
Severance agreements commonly involve the employer agreeing to pay the separated employee an additional amount of compensation in exchange for certain conditions, which may include:
- Waiver or release. Both parties can agree to waive or release any potential legal claim they have against the other in exchange for the severance pay.
- Non-disparagement. The parties can agree not to publicly say anything bad about the other. For instance, the employee agrees not to complain about their former employer’s actions on social media, and the employer agrees not to give the employee a negative job reference.
- Non-compete. Employers may ask an employee with special skills or knowledge to agree to a non-compete provision. This basically restricts the employee’s ability to work for a competing employer in the same geographic area for a specified period of time, generally between 6 months and 2 years.
- Non-disclosure. Employers can also request non-disclosure clauses that forbid the departing employee from disclosing or using any confidential information obtained during their employment, such as trade secrets or customer lists.
- Job references. For that matter, a severance agreement can specify that the employer will give a positive or “neutral” job reference letter.
- Resignation. A severance agreement can specify that an employee has “resigned” instead of being fired.
Contact the Sconzo Law Office Today
Severance agreements can benefit both the employer and employee. But such contacts can be one-sided if the employee allows the employer to simply dictate terms. That is why it is always a good idea to work with an experienced Palm Beach Gardens severance agreements attorney. If you need legal advice or assistance in connection with such contracts, contact the Sconzo Law Office, P.A., today to schedule a consultation.
