Age discrimination in the workplace is rarely open and obvious. An employer that wants to push an older worker out the door likely won’t come out and say, “We’re letting you go because you’re too old.” Instead, the employer may devise pretexts for termination, such as unjustified poor performance reviews. Alternatively, an employer may make …
If your employer has offered you a severance package as part of a Reduction in Force or RIF, you first need to understand that companies typically claim that RIFS are necessary for supposed financial reasons. In truth, though, RIFS are often used to get rid of older, more expensive employees and may constitute age discrimination. …
Continue reading “Top 5 Questions to Ask When Offered a Severance as Part of a RIF”
Coming off record low unemployment rates, businesses are increasingly shedding workers across the economy, affecting employees at companies ranging from 3M to Twitter to Yankee Candle. Fortunately, the law affords laid off individuals certain rights and protections, as summarized below: 1. Am I Entitled to Severance? In many countries, terminated employees are entitled by law …
Continue reading “I’ve Just Received a Layoff Notice. What Should I Do?”
This past September the Securities and Exchange Commission announced charges against 15 broker-dealers and one affiliated investment adviser for widespread and long-term failures by the firms and their employees to maintain and preserve electronic communications. The firms and their employees used a messaging application on their cell phones called WhatsApp. WhatsApp has become a popular …
A headline story in the New York Times recently read “When Having a Baby and Losing Your Job Collide.” The article discussed the recent phenomenon of large corporations, predominantly but not exclusively in the tech and media industries, offering lavish benefits and perks to attract quality workers in a tight labor market. Escalating competition for …
Continue reading “Laid Off During a Pregnancy Leave? Negotiate a Win”
You’ve likely heard some variation of the adage, “If the only tool you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.” When we meet people who’ve experienced workplace harassment, discrimination, retaliation, or wrongful termination, many of them arrive believing the only tool that can obtain justice is the hammer of litigation. Many more victims …
A majority of states, 38 to date plus four United States territories, have enacted statutes legalizing the consumption of cannabis to treat specified medical conditions. Some of these jurisdictions provide legal protections in the workplace for medical cannabis/marijuana users. Minnesota is one. That is, individuals in Minnesota with a qualifying medical condition (which includes chronic …
What once seemed like your dream job has turned into a nightmare. Maybe you endured harassment that your employer failed to address or stop. Perhaps you were denied opportunities, mistreated, or terminated because of your race, age, religion, disability, or other legally protected status. Maybe you observed illegal conduct in your organization. Or you may …
A new study from researchers at the University of New Hampshire and the University of Nebraska has determined that men in executive leadership positions receive over $500,000 more in severance compensation than women. The study, recently published in the Journal of Business and Psychology, examines severance packages at the executive level through a series of …
Continue reading “Gender Bias in Executive Severance Negotiations”
Your career isn’t a game, especially if you face the unexpected, unwanted or unjustified end of your current tenure. But if your employer decides to show you the door and offers you a severance package, you’re playing a high-stakes game, whether you like it or not. As with all negotiations, hashing out a severance package …
Continue reading “Game Theory and Severance: Why You Should Always Negotiate”
