Am I entitled to severence?

I work for a company who was just recently bought out by a larger company. We have been having layoffs due to the merger. The department that I work in, is outsouced, so if I keep my job, I will be on another companys payroll with their benefits, holidays etc. So technically, I will no longer work for this company that I am with today. Since they will be dismissing me, will I be entitled to severence benefits?

1 answer  |  asked Feb 28, 2012 08:41 AM [EST]  |  applies to Pennsylvania

Answers (1)

Harold Goldner
Severence pay is not a matter of right. Pennsylvania is an at will state in which your employment can be terminated at any time for a good reason, bad reason, or no reason at all. If your employer has a formal severence policy, and your termination qualifies, then you will get severence pay. If not, you won't.

Note that many employers who do offer severence packages require former employees to sign documents such as releases which waive subsequent rights. In addition, termination, for any reason, may not terminate your obligations under confidentiality, anti-solicitiation or non-compete clauses.

If you are faced with termination, you should consult an employment lawyer to explore what rights, if any, you have under the circumstances.

posted by Harold Goldner  |  Feb 28, 2012 08:47 AM [EST]

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