It’s never easy being let go from a job, especially when it’s not your fault. If you experience wrongful termination, your employer will likely give you an employee separation agreement to sign.
If you’re presented an employee separation agreement, make sure you understand what you read before signing. If you’re unsure, stop, and seek legal counsel right away.
Indiana is an employment-at-will state. This means that an employer can terminate an employee at any time and for any reason, unless a law or contract says otherwise.
What is an Employee Separation Agreement?
An employee separation agreement spells out the terms of an employee’s termination. It could release an employee from employment with the expectation that an employee will not lodge claims against the employer such as wrongful termination and sue for labor law disputes like:
- Age discrimination
- Sexual harassment
- Sexual orientation
Before signing any employee separation agreement, consult a contracts lawyer at HKM Employment Attorneys.
HKM Employment Attorneys is an employment law firm with years of experience and a track record of successful legal representation for clients. We specialize in reviews of non-compete claims, severance agreements, employment discrimination as well as wrongful termination claims due to medical leave, sexual harassment, age discrimination, and other employment issues.
To see if you have a case, you need a law office that is on your side. If you live or work in Indianapolis, contact HKM Employment Attorneys in Indianapolis for a consultation.
What Should I Ask My Employer in a Separation Agreement?
Employee rights are essential. Guidelines have been created by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to make sure everyone is treated fairly. If your employer allows you to make requests in a separation agreement, it’s important to ask if you can continue to receive health benefits or other benefits.
It is also important to ask for a severance payment or any remaining vacation payments owed as unemployment insurance is not guaranteed.
Does Indiana Law Require Severance Pay?
Indiana employment laws do not require an employer or small business owner to require severance pay.
What Happens If I Don’t Sign a Separation Agreement?
You might lose out on severance pay, benefits, or other compensation if you don’t sign.
If an employee doesn’t sign an employment separation agreement because of wrongful termination an employee should seek legal counsel. Legal claims can be hard to make if written agreements have been signed.
Can You Negotiate a Separation Agreement?
If you believe you’ve been mistreated, it might be possible to negotiate a separation agreement. It’s important to work with an employment law attorney whose experience covers many practice areas that include working with business owners on employment disputes, large and small.
Should I Sign a Termination Agreement?
Never sign a written agreement without thoroughly reading and understanding a document. It’s important to seek legal advice to ensure the employment contract you originally signed and the termination agreement you’re being asked to sign doesn’t have information about non-compete clauses or other prohibitive clauses.
During employment litigation, it can be difficult to prove a claim if an agreement has been signed.
If you don’t understand your employment separation agreement, contact the employment lawyers of HKM Employment Attorneys LLP in Indianapolis to solve your legal issues.
Call 317-779-3537or fill out this form and we will get back to you ASAP.