What can I do if my job was eliminated without notice and the severance amount is incorrect?

Get Legal Help Today

Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

What can I do if my job was eliminated without notice and the severance amount is incorrect?

The letter states 1 week for each year not to exceed 10 weeks. I have worked for the company for 12 years, however the amount is for 4 weeks. When I called they said that due to the company acquisition that they are going under the severance agreement in the purchase. We were purchased 2 months ago. At that time it stated that years serviced would be grandfathered in. My PTO was calculated at 12 years. When I questioned HR she emailed me a different severance letter deleting the verbiage about pay per years served. I have not signed letter yet. I need to do something because it is effecting unemployed. What should I do.

Asked on February 1, 2017 under Employment Labor Law, Georgia

Answers:

M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 7 years ago | Contributor

The correct amount of severance is that which your employer decides. The fact is that severance is not legally required. Therefore to the extent that an employer provides it, they have a great deal of say over how it is calculated. That is unless there exists an employment contract or union agreement probiides otherwise. The fact is that most employment is "at will" which means that, absent legally actionable discrimination, a company can set the conditions of employment much as it sees fit.

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 7 years ago | Contributor

The severance amount, unfortunately, is correct from a legal perspective. Severance is *never* required by the law: employers have no obligation to give severance. Therefore, it is competely voluntary n their part whether to give severance and they may change what they are offering at will.


IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.

Get Legal Help Today

Find the right lawyer for your legal issue.

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption