What happens if I don't get my severance pay?

Asked by: Nellie Bahringer  |  Last update: July 21, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (50 votes)

If severance pay was guaranteed as a part of your employment contract, you may be able to bring a lawsuit against your employer.

What happens if a company doesn't pay severance?

If your employer has breached a contract with you by denying to pay you severance pay as you had both agreed they would in a legally binding agreement, such as an employment contract, then you have grounds for a claim against your employer for breach of contract.

Can you sue for not getting severance pay?

Severance pay isn't usually considered wages owed, so you usually can't file a wage claim for unpaid severance even if it was promised or agreed to, but you can file a private lawsuit.

Why didn't I get severance pay?

It usually is only payable when an employee is not fired for cause—that is, when there are layoffs, or company restructuring, or something else that the worker didn't cause. Severance is generally a payment above and beyond the normal wages that you previously earned from working.

How long should I wait for my severance pay?

In some cases, you might receive your severance pay right after you are terminated. In some cases, it might take a few weeks. In some other cases, it might take a bit longer. The time frame depends on the terms of your severance agreement and various other factors.

What can I do if my company refuses to pay severance pay?

44 related questions found

What is the downside to severance?

What is the downside to severance? The downside to severance includes financial drawbacks such as loss of steady income, potential loss of benefits, and uncertainty about future job prospects, as well as the impact on retirement savings and benefits.

What is the rule of 70 for severance?

5) What is the Rule of 70 for severance? In the United States, the "Rule of 70" for severance is a simple way to determine if an employee is eligible for retirement-related. If the sum of the employee's years of service and age is 70 or more, you can combine retirement benefits as severance pay.

How do I get my employer to pay severance?

How to ask for a severance package
  1. Review your company's documents. You can typically find details of the company's policy regarding severance packages in a couple of places: ...
  2. Make note of your accomplishments. ...
  3. Stay professional. ...
  4. Negotiate severance during your job offer. ...
  5. Agree to an exit interview.

Can a company layoff without severance?

There is no requirement in the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) for severance pay. Severance pay is a matter of agreement between an employer and an employee (or the employee's representative).

Can severance be paid over time?

It is up to the employer to deliver severance pay. Some companies offer a lump sum, while others issue payments over a stated period.

Can a company fire you without severance?

Do You Get Severance If You Get Fired? There are no legal requirements or federal law for employers to offer a dismissal or redundancy package at the time of termination of employment. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) does not have any such provisions either.

Which states require severance pay?

There's no federal or state legislation requiring employers to offer severance pay (although we'll discuss a potential scenario below), but many do opt for it.

What is the average severance package?

The typical severance pay employers provide is one to two weeks for every year the employee worked, but the employee's rank can play a role in how much you offer. Upper management employees might get a higher severance pay amount, for example.

Can you sue a company for not paying your severance pay?

Take legal action if your employer fails to honor a severance agreement. File a lawsuit for breach of contract since severance agreements are legally binding. Consult an employment lawyer to assess your case and recover the promised severance pay.

How long does an employer have to pay you after termination?

For example, for employees who quit, California's final paycheck law requires payment of wages within 72 hours or immediately if the employee gave at least 72 hours' notice. If the employee is discharged in California, then the law requires employers to provide any and all compensation due at the time of separation.

Can you fight a severance package?

Yes. While there isn't a requirement for employers to offer severance pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), you can still try to negotiate. When offered a severance package, you're not required to sign the agreement immediately.

Can a company deny severance pay?

If not, however, nothing in California law requires your employer to pay you severance. If your employer has never agreed to do so by way of company policy or contract, then they have no obligation to pay you severance.

Who usually gets laid off first?

The last employees to be hired become the first people to be let go. This makes sense logically. If they were recently hired, they probably haven't become as strong of organizational assets yet.

Can I sue after being laid off?

No matter how unfair it might feel to suddenly lose your job, you generally can't sue an employer simply for laying you off. This is because, in California, most employees are considered “at will.” At-will employment means that your employer can legally fire you—and you can quit—at any point and for almost any reason.

What happens if you don't accept a severance package?

By not signing the agreement, you can retain your right to pursue legal action against your employer for discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, breach of contract, and various other reasons. Negotiation Leverage: Refusing to sign the agreement can provide leverage for negotiation with your employer.

What is fair severance pay?

The severance pay offered is typically one to two weeks for every year worked, but it can be more. If the job loss will create an economic hardship, discuss this with your former employer. The general practice is to try to get four weeks of severance pay for each year worked.

Do you lose severance pay if you get a new job?

While severance payments typically won't stop after finding another job, employees must also consider the relationship between severance payments, unemployment benefits, and new employment.

How to get severance pay when fired?

Steps to take to get severance after being fired
  1. Meet with your employer. ...
  2. Ask about severance. ...
  3. Review the severance package. ...
  4. Negotiate severance as needed. ...
  5. Sign the severance agreement. ...
  6. Contact a lawyer. ...
  7. Review the severance package. ...
  8. Understand everyone's priorities.

Can a company withdraw a severance offer?

While it is unusual for an employer to withdraw a severance offer, it is important to understand that the offer may be rescinded, even if it is covered by the OWBPA. Employers need to be cognizant of their rights in the event of bad behavior by the employee before the agreement is signed.

Are you guaranteed severance?

Generally, no. Companies do not have to provide a severance package to a terminated employee. Severance is not guaranteed to employees and almost never to contractors. In some circumstances, larger companies have written severance plans, but it is not the norm.