Before you sign
Severance is negotiable more often than people think, and signing has a clock. Read before you sign anything. (don't sign while you're mad)
THE SHORT ANSWER
You do not have to sign a severance agreement the day you get it. If you're 40 or older, federal law (the ADEA) usually gives you 21 days to review it, 45 if it's part of a group layoff, plus 7 days to revoke after signing. Read it, see what's negotiable, and never sign while you're upset.
21 days
If you're 40 or older, federal law (the ADEA) usually gives you 21 days to review a severance agreement before signing (or 45 if you're part of a group layoff), plus 7 days to revoke after. Don't let anyone rush you.
Source: EEOC severance-waiver guidance
The federal 21 / 45 / 7-day rules, from the agency that enforces them.
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Decode your agreement
Severance decoder
A plain-English, read-along guide to what's in a typical severance agreement, and what's negotiable.
Open the decoder →
Then push back
How to negotiate severance
Most companies have flex on at least one item, and few people ask. What's negotiable, the asks that succeed, and the exact script.
Read the negotiation guide →
Severance, PTO payout, and final paychecks by state
Whether severance delays or cuts your unemployment, and whether PTO payout is the law where you live. All 50 states + DC.
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When to get a lawyer
Worth a lawyer's eyes if…
You're 40 or older. Federal law (the OWBPA) gives you 21 days to consider it (45 in a group layoff), plus 7 days to revoke after you sign. If the paperwork doesn't reflect that, that's a flag.
It includes a non-compete, a non-solicit, or a sweeping non-disparagement clause.
The release waives “all claims” and you think you might actually have one (see below).
The amount is large, or the payout is tied to conditions you don't fully follow.
You're being pushed to sign today. There's almost never a real reason to.
See all the lawyer flags
This isn't legal advice. It's a nudge to get a professional's read when the stakes are real.
Your severance deadlines
Put your severance signing window on a dated tracker
Answer a few quick questions and we'll turn them into a personalized checklist with the dates that matter to you.
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Know your rights
The WARN Act
If a big layoff skipped the required 60-day notice, you may be owed pay. See whether it applies and where to check.
Open the WARN guide →
National Employment Law Project
What your employer can and can't do, in plain language.
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General information, not legal advice. For anything you're unsure about, talk to an employment attorney before you sign.
Common questions
How long do I have to review a severance agreement?
If you're 40 or older, federal law (the ADEA) usually gives you 21 days to review it, or 45 days if it's part of a group layoff, plus 7 days to revoke after you sign. Nobody can make you sign on the spot, so don't let anyone rush you.
Can I negotiate my severance?
More often than people assume, yes. Knowing what's standard in a typical agreement is what tells you where there's room to ask, so read it before you sign anything.
What should I look at before signing a severance agreement?
Usually your final pay, how long benefits continue, any non-compete or confidentiality terms, and whether you're waiving legal claims. Going through it in plain English first helps you spot what's standard and what's worth pushing back on.
When is it worth having a lawyer review my severance?
When the numbers are large, the terms are confusing, or you think you might have a claim like discrimination or unpaid wages. This is general information, not legal advice, so when something's unclear an employment attorney is the right call before you sign.