Separation Pay

[clprefi]

Georgia

I received my separation notice from my employer. I was expecting 18 weeks of separation pay based on 12 years of service and documentation of the "Separation Plan" from my employer. My separation notice states that I am only getting 12 weeks based on 7 years of service. The difference is from a time when I was laid-off in 2002 from the same employer and was re-hired 3 months later. The documentation clearly states that separation pay is based on "years of service". Is there anything I can do?

 

[cbg]

You are free to take all associated documentation to a Georgia attorney for review. However, separation or severance pay is not required by law, so unless you have a bona fide, legally binding contract that specifically says otherwise, you are "due" only what the company chooses to give you.

 

[Hot Topic]

Severance pay could be considered an enticement to get rid of you; don't make a fuss about leaving, and we'll pay you your salary for x number of weeks, plus you'll still have access to certain benefits (as if you still were coming in the office to work from 8-5 every day).

Consider yourself lucky if no strings have been attached.