North Carolina Severance Pay Lawyers
Easy 4-Step Process
Call us or fill out a contact form.
Our office will schedule a date and time for the meeting (either in person, Zoom or by phone). All meetings can be scheduled within 24 hours.
Our severance package lawyer will conduct a thorough review of the agreement before discussing it carefully with you and answering your questions.
Our attorneys will send you a detailed email regarding any changes, revisions, or other items that need addressing with your previous employer. You will then have the option to negotiate with your employer directly on your behalf to retain us to negotiate for you to try to improve the terms and amount of severance pay.
Employment Severance Packages in North Carolina
We know how difficult it is when you’ve been let go. If you’ve recently been led to HR and informed of your termination, they may have presented you with a severance agreement. Signing it may seem like your best option, but we encourage you to first contact a North Carolina employment lawyer experienced in negotiating severance.
In North Carolina, a severance agreement or severance package typically includes some amount of severance pay. This could involve a lump sum paid directly to you or a few installments, but this is provided at your former employer’s discretion.
As North Carolina is an at-will employment state, employers have no obligation to pay you once you’ve been let go from a job. This means that when you are presented with a severance package, it’s likely because the terms of that agreement are in some way beneficial to your employer.
Severance agreements may protect employers from future litigation or involve a non-compete clause, which may limit your ability to work a similar job in the future. However, North Carolina law does not require that you accept your employer’s offer.
Our North Carolina employment lawyers can help translate the terms of this severance agreement and determine whether or not it’s in your best interest to sign. The most important thing to remember is that you don’t have to sign any documents immediately.
Review My Severance Agreement
Your Rights in North Carolina
You have the right to negotiate a severance agreement directly with your former employer.
What might you wish to discuss or ask for in your severance package? First and foremost, our North Carolina employment lawyers may recommend that you ask for more severance pay and benefits, such as health insurance for your family while you look for a new job.
We also recommend that you consider North Carolina’s non-compete laws. If you sign a severance agreement that includes a non-compete clause, this could prevent you from working in a certain geographic area, working with a competitor, or working for a specific amount of time. Our team of Severance Lawyers specializes in North Carolina employment laws and will help you determine which aspects of your employer’s offer are in your best interest.
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Contact the Employment Law Experts
Our Severance Lawyers have over a decade of experience in negotiating severance packages for employees. We ensure that you receive the most benefit by directly communicating with your former employer and explaining the intricacies of severance laws in clear, plain language.
We are a network of award-winning attorneys operating in all 50 states. Our North Carolina employment lawyers know what your employer can offer and how you can respond. Let us review your severance agreement. We reply to inquiries within 24 hours, and we will work with you to determine the past path forward that maximizes the benefits you’re entitled to.
Schedule a consultation by calling (800) 466-5015.
Client reviews
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- Al W.
This law firm helped me achieve the results that I needed. Would recommend Paul to anyone that feels as though they have been wronged and need legal guidance and assistance.
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- Wendy G.
My experience with Severance Lawyers was excellent. They gave my case all the time and attention that was needed to be successful. They were a calming and confident presence during a difficult and uncertain time for me. Their guidance was outstanding at all times, prompt, professional, timely and open for calls and quick updates. They invested the time to work through all of my questions and issues. I can’t thank them enough and would hire them again.
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- Michelle M.
Tom and his staff understand the law very well. They are quick to return calls, take the initiative, and explain things in a way I can understand. From start to finish Tom was there to help me out every step of the way with our case. I am glad to have Tom and his team on my side. I simply cannot thank them enough!
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- Tucker W.
I found myself in a challenging & stressful situation that required legal representation and their attorney Paul Castronovo handled it beyond my expectations. Paul is incredibly experienced/knowledgeable and I just felt like I was in good hands the entire time. Paul has a calming demeanor too–which is helpful in these stressful situations. Paul helped turn my lemons into lemonade.
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- Sweta M.
Tom McKinney’s prompt attention, articulate and comprehensive advice addressed my Employment Agreement related issue. His confidence shined through instilling the confidence in me and peace of mind having him by my side. If you’re dealing with the proverbial ‘blood sucking’ company, look no further than Tom’s voice of reason.
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- Austin S.
Going to Tom and his team for my case was the best decision I made. He was professional and knowledgeable in employment law. He helped me reach a resolution and I could not recommend him enough for anyone else out there.
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- Sean C.
Tom McKinney is one of the best attorneys that I know…whether to negotiate on your behalf or reviewing your agreement to make sure you are getting maximum value for your compensation. From stock options to deferred compensation. I have referred him to friends in NJ and NY.
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- Joe K.
I had Tom review my severance agreement. He provided a lot of valuable insight. I was able to go back to my employer with various points and double my package. Tom was prudent in having me use his services (told me to go back to my employer before fully engaging him) and I did not overpay when not needed. Other lawyers could have easily taken advantage of my situation and over-lawyered the situation.
Have Questions?
We Have Answers!
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How long do I have to sign the severance documents?
When companies terminate employees and provide a severance package, the goal of the severance is to benefit both the company and the employee. Therefore, the employee has time to review the agreement. Review timelines depend on employee age and the number of people terminated simultaneously.
- Employees under the age of 40 – No set time frame, but it must be reasonable and ample enough to review and understand the components.
- Employees over the age of 40 – 21 days to review and sign and 7 days to reconsider and revoke your signature.
- Multiple terminations at once – 45 days to review and sign and 7 days to reconsider and revoke your signature.
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How is severance pay calculated?
Several factors go into severance pay amounts. Employees in higher management positions may receive additional benefits like longer pay terms, office equipment, or medical benefits.
Typical payouts can last up to 26 weeks and go by the following calculations:
- Hourly Employees: Number of years with company X 1 week of regular pay = Severance Pay $ Total
- Salaried Employees: Number of years with company X 2 weeks of regular pay = Severance Pay $ Total
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Am I entitled to severance pay?
No, most companies provide a severance agreement when they lay off or fire an employee. Offering a severance package is entirely optional for the company. Most companies only do it to protect themselves from future lawsuits, the employee going to a competitor company, or adverse claims from the employee. The company takes multiple factors into account when preparing the packages.
