We are highly experienced at negotiating severance agreements for City executives, bankers, professionals and other high flyers. Achieving suitable severance agreements is highly stressful for both employer and employee and requires a professional approach. In this scenario there may be complex employment law and contractual issues to be resolved in your severance package including issues around any bonus scheme, commission scheme, the tax position, regulatory advice and reputation management.
We aim to make the process as stress free as possible. If you are concerned about your position at work and are concerned that you may be terminated, we may be able to help you to get your employer to offer you a severance agreement. If you have been unfairly or constructively dismissed then we can work to negotiate a generous severance agreement as agreed compensation for your claim, to avoid having to go to an Employment Tribunal or court.
If you are already in the position where you have been offered a severance agreement then we can give you comprehensive advice on the terms and implications of accepting the severance package. We analyse the terms of the financial offer for you, setting out for you what amount your employer would be required to pay you in any event and whether we think you may be entitled to, or could negotiate more. For example, you may have a good claim for unfair dismissal or for discrimination or unpaid bonus or commission. We will tell you how good your claim is and give you advice as to how much that potential claim may be worth. We are often able to negotiate higher severance pay for our clients, not only be considering the legal case but also the wider picture, considering what will work for the employer as well as you and your employer's desire to resolve the situation for the lowest cost but without destroying morale or creating detrimental PR.
If there are bonuses, commission payments or share options at stake we are highly experienced and astute in resolving these issues and fighting for your severance entitlement. Typically bonus and share schemes may have good leaver/bad leaver provisions (sometimes referred to as dismissal with or without ‘Cause') and will have detailed vesting provisions. We analyse the terms of the scheme in the light of your particular circumstances and have an enviable track record of being able to achieve successful outcomes for our clients.
Obviously, you may want to negotiate the severance package yourself...and it may be the best tactic. After all, you probably have considerable experience of negotiations. In those circumstances, we are more than happy to keep in the background supplying you with the information you need to negotiate and get the best deal yourself.