How to Negotiate Severance Package?
What’s the best way to negotiate a severance package? Should I just list the items I’m looking for? Usually in a salary negotiation you tell the company why you’re valued at a higher rate. What would be my best option in terms of getting what I want in this situation?
Severance is really tricky. I'm sorry that you're in a situation that you have to deal with this.
My first question would be, is the company offering severance packages, or are you hoping to get one? I personally love negotiating, but with severance, it's not something that the employer has to do in the first place. So in my view, it's not something that you can push too hard with.
If your employer has offered you a severance package and you aren't happy with it, you can try phrasing such as "To be in line with what my research indicates is industry standard, and to arrive at a place where I believe we can both go separate ways in a healthy, mutually beneficial way, I believe that ____ and ____ best aligns with our shared interests".
I hope that helps. My experience with HR Paperwork/Severance Packages is limited. My strongpoint and focus in the corporate world has been high-growth, fast paced hiring and quickly growing companies.
“I appreciate the template format you provided, that is extremely helpful! I was offered a severance and was hoping to email back with a long list of requests. Do you think sending a list of 15-20 items is a bit much?
If you don't mind my asking, what's your pay range or seniority level? Your time at the company and position will make a difference.
From my perspective, if I saw 15-20 items I might think that someone is trying to drag things out or get as much as possible. Can you combine items/categories and get them down to 5-10?
“I am one of the senior management folks at my location. Pay range is 55k - 65k. I was at the company for 4 years.
Between you and me, I am trying to get as much as possible haha. Just revisiting my list, I can get it down to at least 8-10 items.
f you want my personal opinion, it doesn't hurt to ask, and the worst they can say is "no". Organizing your list down will help - it might reposition you from "pain in the ass" to "this guy wants to play ball and is being reasonable."
Since you are senior management, that will certainly help. I think that positioning your interactions as "you desiring to help make this smooth and easy" helps, along with being as friendly as possible.
I don't blame you for wanting to come out of this as whole and taken care of. Is there anything else I can help with? I apologize that Severance is not my expertise.
