Establishing secure connection…Loading editor…Preparing document…

Severance Agreement upon Termination of Employment

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

Severance Agreement upon Termination of Employment or Resignation

Severance Agreement made on the (date), between of referred to herein as Employer, and of referred to herein as Employee.

Whereas, Employee has resigned from employment with Employer effective ; and

Whereas, Employee and Employer desire to enter into an agreement setting forth the terms and conditions of the termination of Employee’s employment with Employer;

Now, therefore, for and in consideration of the mutual covenants contained in this agreement, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

1. Termination of Employment

Employee’s employment with Employer has been terminated effective on (date and time). For and in consideration of the severance pay as set forth herein, Employee agrees that Employer has no obligation, contractual or otherwise, to rehire, reemploy, recall or hire Employee in the future.

2. Termination of Benefits

It is understood and agreed that Employee’s employment benefits have been terminated, including health care coverage unless Employee elects to continue her coverage as provided under the provisions of the Federal Legislation known as COBRA. Employee acknowledges that she will be provided with proper notice of her rights under COBRA.

Should Employee elect to continue such medical insurance coverage under COBRA, she shall be solely responsible for the timely payment of insurance premiums due from and after the effective date of termination of her employment with Employer, unless and to the extent she may be due the subsidy provided by the temporary federal subsidy provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

3. Severance Pay

In exchange for the execution and non-revocation of this Agreement by Employee, Employer shall pay to Employee her accrued, but unused vacation pay, along with months’ severance pay, calculated at the Employee’s current rate of pay, less normal federal and state tax withholdings, to be paid in normal payroll installments, following the execution and non-revocation of this Severance Agreement by Employee.

4. Release and Covenant not to Sue

For the consideration of receiving severance pay, and as an inducement to Employer to give same, Employee, for herself, her heirs, administrators, executors and assigns, has released and discharged, and by these presents does hereby release and discharge Employer, its agents, servants and Employees, and any and all other persons, firms, partnerships, associations, parent corporations, subsidiary corporations, or other corporations who are or may be liable in any manner whatsoever for their acts, or for the acts of any of them (said parties being hereinafter collectively referred to as the Releasees), jointly and severally, of and from any and all claims, demands, actions, causes of action, suits and damages of every kind and nature whatsoever which Employee may have, or claim to have, for damages, back pay, front pay, benefits, costs, losses and expenses of every kind or nature whatsoever, whether known or unknown, anticipated or unanticipated, accrued through the date of this Severance Agreement, caused by, resulting from, growing out of or in any manner connected with Employee’s employment with Employer and the termination of Employee’s employment, including, but not limited to; claims of wrongful discharge; claims for breach of contract; whistleblower claims; bad faith claims; claims of employment discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, handicap, disability, genetic information, or Veterans’ status brought under any federal, state, or local law, including, but not limited to claims under the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (“Title VII”), the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”)(except for vested benefits); the Americans With Disabilities Act (“ADA”); the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (“ADEA:”), the Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”), and all other federal and state statutes applicable to employment; and claims brought under any common law theory based on federal, state, or local law.

The Severance Pay is hereby acknowledged by Employee to be and is received by her in full and complete compromise, settlement, accord and satisfaction for any and all claims against Releasees, and that Employee is not otherwise entitled to this consideration. For this same consideration, Employee does hereby covenant and agree that she will never make any demand or claim which she may have or claim to have, or commence or permit to be commenced and prosecuted any action at Jaw or in equity, or any administrative or other proceeding of any kind against the Releasees, or any of them, arising or resulting from, growing out of or in any manner connected with her employment with Employer and the termination of such employment, provided that this provision does not preclude the filing of administrative complaints or charges with federal or state agencies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the National Labor Relations Board, and state workers’ compensation commissions. It is further understood and agreed that this Agreement is executed and delivered as the compromise and settlement of doubtful and disputed claims, and that there is no admission of liability on the part of the Releasees, or any of them, but on the other hand, the Releasees, and each of them, specifically deny any such liability to Employee.

5. Indemnification

For the same consideration and as an inducement to give same, Employee further agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Releasees, and each of them, from and against any and all claims, losses or damages arising out of, resulting from or in any way connected with Employee’s employment with Employer and the termination of her employment.

6. Further Assurances of Employee

In executing and delivering this Severance Agreement, Employee relies wholly upon her own judgment, knowledge and belief as to the nature, extent and duration of any damage which she may have suffered or sustained as the result of her employment with Employer and the termination of her employment. Employee further represents and warrants that she has not been influenced by any representations, statements or warranties made by the Releasees, or by any agent or other person representing any of them, concerning the nature, extent or duration of the damages or losses, or the legal liability thereof. Employee certifies that she is of legal age, under no disability of any kind which would preclude her from being fully and completely competent to execute this Severance Agreement in her own behalf, and that she has fully read and completely understood this Severance Agreement, or has had this Severance Agreement explained to her by her attorney.

7. Effective Date

The effective date of this Severance Agreement shall be the day following Employee’s execution of this Severance Agreement.

8. Confidentiality and Disparagement Provisions

Employee shall, aside from discussing the Severance Agreement with her tax preparers or other representatives, keep the existence and terms of this Severance Agreement completely confidential. Employee further agrees that she will not make negative statements concerning Employer or its agents or Employees to other Employees of Employer or to any third parties, except as may be required under federal or state law with respect to matters, if any, pending before any state or federal agency. Employee agrees that for breach of the terms of this paragraph, Employee will pay to Employer and/or its successor, as liquidated damages, a sum equal to one half the Severance Pay payable to Employee under this Release Agreement, as well as any costs and attorneys’ fees incurred in pursuing said liquidated damages.

9. OWBPA Provisions

Employee hereby acknowledges that this waiver is knowingly and voluntarily executed; that the Agreement specifically refers to rights or claims arising under the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act; that Employee waives all rights or claims against Employer and the other Releasees as of the date this release is executed; that Employee waives rights or claims only in exchange for consideration in addition to anything of value to which Employee is entitled; that, prior to signing this Agreement, Employee has been advised in writing to consult with an attorney before signing this Agreement; and that Employee has been given a period of at least twenty-one (21) days within which to consider this Agreement.

It is further understood that for a period of seven (7) days following the execution of this Agreement, Employee may revoke this Agreement by delivering a written notice of revocation to Employer on or before the seventh (7th) day following the execution of this Agreement.

10. Entire Agreement

This Severance Agreement contains the entire agreement and understanding between the parties with respect to the termination of Employee’s employment and with respect to any wages and benefits (except for vested benefits under the Employer pension plan, if any) to which Employee may be entitled as a result of Employee having been an Employee of Employer. This Severance Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties, both oral and written, with respect to its subject matter.

11. Severability

The invalidity of any portion of this Agreement will not and shall not be deemed to affect the validity of any other provision. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, the parties agree that the remaining provisions shall be deemed to be in full force and effect as if they had been executed by both parties subsequent to the expungement of the invalid provision.

12. No Waiver

The failure of either party to this Agreement to insist upon the performance of any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, or the waiver of any breach of any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, shall not be construed as subsequently waiving any such terms and conditions, but the same shall continue and remain in full force and effect as if no such forbearance or waiver had occurred.

13. Governing Law

This Agreement shall be governed by, construed, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of .

14. Notices

Any notice provided for or concerning this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed sufficiently given when sent by certified or registered mail if sent to the respective address of each party as set forth at the beginning of this Agreement.

15. Mandatory Arbitration

Any dispute under this Agreement shall be required to be resolved by binding arbitration of the parties hereto. If the parties cannot agree on an arbitrator, each party shall select one arbitrator and both arbitrators shall then select a third. The third arbitrator so selected shall arbitrate said dispute. The arbitration shall be governed by the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in force and effect.

16. Entire Agreement

This Agreement shall constitute the entire agreement between the parties and any prior understanding or representation of any kind preceding the date of this Agreement shall not be binding upon either party except to the extent incorporated in this Agreement.

17. Modification of Agreement

Any modification of this Agreement or additional obligation assumed by either party in connection with this Agreement shall be binding only if placed in writing and signed by each party or an authorized representative of each party.

18. In this Agreement, any reference to a party includes that party's heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, singular includes plural and masculine includes feminine.

WITNESS our signatures as of the day and date first above stated.

Acknowledgements may vary by state.

State of

County of

Personally appeared before me, the undersigned authority in and for the said county and state, on this day of , 20 , within my jurisdiction, the within named who acknowledged that she executed the above and foregoing instrument.

My commission expires:

SEAL
Enter text✕

What a Severance Agreement Covers and When It Applies

A Severance Agreement upon Termination of Employment is a written contract that sets out the terms under which an employer will provide compensation or benefits to an employee after employment ends. Typical provisions cover severance pay, benefit continuation, release of claims, confidentiality, return of company property, and any post-employment restrictions. These agreements are used in layoffs, reductions in force, resignations with negotiated exits, and some terminations for cause where the parties seek a mutually agreed separation. Properly drafted severance agreements reduce litigation risk and clarify post-employment obligations for both parties.

Why Use a Written Severance Agreement

A written Severance Agreement documents mutual obligations, reduces uncertainty, and creates enforceable release language to limit future claims. It helps employers manage financial exposure and helps employees understand compensation, benefits, and any trade-offs such as waiving claims.

Why Use a Written Severance Agreement

Who Typically Drafts or Signs These Agreements

Use counsel for complex cases; for standard separations, HR and template-based reviews are common.

  • Employers and HR teams manage offer and execution of the package, approval workflows, and recordkeeping.
  • Departing employees evaluate consideration, release language, and any post-employment obligations before signing.
  • Company counsel or external attorneys review legal risk, compliance with federal/state rules, and enforceability.

Primary Signers and Their Roles

HR Manager

HR managers prepare the agreement, confirm severance amounts and benefit continuation, and coordinate distribution and retention. They also manage required notices, such as COBRA or benefits enrollment instructions, and maintain the executed originals for payroll and compliance purposes.

Departing Employee

The departing employee reviews the terms, may negotiate consideration or release language, and must sign to accept the package. Employees age 40 and over require special waiver considerations under federal age-discrimination rules where applicable.

Step-by-Step: Preparing and Executing a Severance Agreement

Follow a clear sequence to reduce risk and ensure enforceability.

  • 01
    Assemble Terms: Document severance pay, benefits, release language, and any restrictions.
  • 02
    Legal Review: Have counsel check enforceability and compliance with federal/state law.
  • 03
    Offer and Negotiation: Present the agreement and negotiate any changes, tracking versions.
  • 04
    Execution: Obtain dated signatures and retain signed copies for payroll and compliance.

Core Clauses to Include in a Professional Severance Agreement

A complete agreement balances employee protection with employer risk management by addressing compensation, releases, and administrative details.

Severance Pay

Specify amount, gross vs net, payment schedule, payroll tax withholding, and whether payment is contingent on signed release or a revocation period.

Benefits Continuation

State health insurance continuation, COBRA election instructions, and whether the employer will subsidize premiums for a defined period.

Release of Claims

Clear, broad waiver language identifying claims released as of the effective date; ensure compliance with age-discrimination protections when applicable.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality terms for the agreement and company information; specify permitted disclosures (e.g., tax advisors, spouses).

Post-Employment Restrictions

Non-solicit or non-compete clauses, if any; detail geographic/scope limits and consider state enforceability differences.

Return of Property

Requirements for returning devices, keys, and documents before final payment; include procedure for late returns.

Security and Compliance Elements to Note

Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3; AES-256 at rest
Audit Trail: Time-stamped logs and signer IP
HIPAA BAA: BAA required if PHI involved
ESIGN / UETA: Federal and state e-signature frameworks
Access Controls: Role-based permissions and SSO
Retention Policy: Document retention and legal hold

Risks and Consequences of an Incorrect Agreement

Invalid Release: Waiver may be unenforceable
Tax Exposure: Incorrect withholding or reporting
Unemployment Claims: Benefits disputes may follow
ADEA Noncompliance: Age waivers may be void
Litigation Costs: Defense and settlement expenses
Regulatory Risk: Industry-specific penalties possible

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

  • Vague consideration language leaving enforcement open to interpretation and increasing litigation risk.
  • Failing to provide required ADEA/OWBPA notice and revocation periods for employees age 40 or older.
  • Neglecting to coordinate severance payments with payroll and benefits, which can cause tax and COBRA issues.
  • Using non-standard or inconsistent signature methods without confirming e-sign validity under ESIGN and UETA.

Typical Digital Workflow Settings for a Severance Agreement

Configure routing and authentication to match your approval and security needs before sending electronically.

Field Configuration
Signer Order HR then Employee then Executive
Authentication Email link with optional SMS code
Deadline Set automatic reminders and a signing expiry date
Audit Requirements Capture IP, timestamp, and certificate of completion

Delivering and Signing the Agreement Electronically

Ensure the vendor meets ESIGN/UETA standards and offers audit trails and retention features for compliance and recordkeeping.

  • Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Google Workspace
  • File Formats: PDF, DOCX, HTML supported
  • Advanced Features: Conditional fields and bulk send

Typical Electronic Signing Process

A standard e-sign workflow streamlines preparation, signing, and storage while capturing evidence of consent.

  • Upload Document: Add the severance agreement to the signing platform.
  • Place Fields: Insert signature, date, and initial fields as needed.
  • Send to Signer: Deliver via secure email link or authenticated portal.
  • Capture Completion: Platform stores signed PDF and audit trail.

Key Dates and Deadlines to Track

Track execution, payment, revocation, and benefit-related deadlines to avoid compliance failures.

Employee Termination Date:

Date employment ends; often triggers severance obligations.

Severance Effective Date:

Date when severance obligations and releases take effect.

Release Revocation Period:

If ADEA applies, allow required consideration and revocation windows.

Final Paycheck Date:

Comply with state final wage timing statutes for last wages.

COBRA Notice Period:

Provide required health continuation notices within federally prescribed timelines.

Milestone Timeline for a Typical Severance Process

A sequential milestone list helps coordinate approvals, offer, signing, and payment.

01

Draft and Review

Prepare the agreement and obtain legal and HR approvals.

02

Offer Delivery

Present the agreement to the employee for review and negotiation.

03

Execution and Effective Date

Employee signs and the effective date is recorded.

04

Payment and Records

Issue severance payments and store executed documents.

Comparing eSignature Vendor Pricing and Features for Severance Agreements

Cost and feature differences matter for high-volume severance processing; signNow is listed first for comparison per platform details.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan
Bulk Send Yes (Business Premium) Yes Yes Yes Varies by plan
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan
Envelope Cap No cap 100 envelopes/user/year Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan

Real-World Severance Scenarios

Two practical examples show how common issues are handled in standard severance agreements.

Mid‑Level Layoff Case

Company offers one month per year of service as severance plus COBRA subsidy

  • Employee gets 21 days to consider and a 7-day revocation window
  • The agreement clarifies payment timing, tax withholding, and a general release, reducing litigation risk and ensuring predictable cash flow for the employer.

Executive Separation

Executive negotiates staged payout, stock vesting acceleration, and non-disparagement terms

  • Counsel reviews to protect fiduciary obligations
  • The final agreement includes detailed carve-outs, specifies continuation of certain benefits, and a mutual release to limit future claims while preserving required regulatory disclosures.

Frequently Asked Questions About Severance Agreements

Answers to common execution, validity, and retention questions when using severance agreements in U.S. employment contexts.


Need help? Contact support

be ready to get more
Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users