Severance Pay Blog
Educational guides on negotiation, taxes, the legal context, and more
Try Our Free CalculatorDo Independent Contractors Get Severance Pay? Misclassification, Gig Workers, and Your Rights
February 5, 2026 • 10 min read
Independent contractors are generally not entitled to severance pay, but misclassification could change everything. Learn how 1099 vs W-2 status affects severance, when contractors may have legal claims, and what gig economy workers should know.
legalSeverance Pay Laws by State: A Comprehensive Guide
February 5, 2026 • 10 min read
No federal law mandates severance pay, but state laws vary significantly on PTO payouts, WARN Act requirements, and employee protections. Here is what every state requires.
legalNon-Compete Clauses in Severance Agreements
February 3, 2026 • 9 min read
Non-compete clauses can restrict your career for months or years after a layoff. Learn about FTC regulations, state enforceability rules, garden leave, and how to negotiate modifications to protect your livelihood.
negotiationSigning Bonus Clawback After Layoff 2026: 3 Tactics Decoded
February 3, 2026 • 10 min read
Got a $30K+ signing bonus and now laid off? Here's when clawback is enforceable, how to negotiate a waiver, and 3 proven tactics to keep your money in 2026.
legalGarden Leave Explained: How It Differs from Severance and When Employers Use It
February 1, 2026 • 11 min read
Garden leave keeps you on payroll but off the job. Learn what garden leave is, how it differs from severance pay, which industries use it, your rights during a garden leave period, and how to negotiate better terms.
legalAge Discrimination and Severance: Rights for Workers Over 40
January 29, 2026 • 9 min read
Learn how the ADEA and OWBPA protect workers 40 or older during layoffs, including required review periods, revocation rights, and how to leverage age protections when negotiating severance.
legalRemote Worker Severance Pay: Which State's Laws Apply to You?
January 24, 2026 • 8 min read
Remote-work severance can involve more than one state's employment, payroll, and income-sourcing rules. Learn which facts and official sources to verify.
benefitsWhat Happens to Your Health Insurance After a Layoff?
January 20, 2026 • 9 min read
Losing your job means losing your health coverage. Learn about COBRA, ACA marketplace plans, Medicaid eligibility, and how to negotiate employer-paid COBRA as part of your severance package.
negotiationHow to Write a Counter-Offer for Your Severance Package
January 14, 2026 • 7 min read
Organise a severance counter-offer around the written terms, proposed changes, factual context, and unresolved questions, with a clear response structure.
industryStartup Severance: What to Expect from Small Companies
January 7, 2026 • 9 min read
Learn how startups handle severance differently from large corporations, including equity considerations, informal policies, and what to negotiate when a small company lets you go.
benefitsSeverance Pay and 401(k): What Happens to Your Retirement
December 30, 2025 • 6 min read
Understand the distinction between severance and plan compensation, the 2026 contribution limits, and the factors involved in leaving, rolling over, or distributing a 401(k).
guidesHow Long Does Severance Pay Last? 2 Weeks to 6 Months (2026)
December 22, 2025 • 9 min read
Typical severance runs 2 weeks to 6 months, about 1-2 weeks per year of service. How lump sum vs salary continuation affects taxes, unemployment, and benefits.
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