This video, by attorney Michael Brown of DVG Law Partner LLC, describes ten things for a worker to consider when presented with a severance agreement.

Those factors to consider include: (1) Listen (don’t debate); (2) Know severance agreements are usually voluntary for employers; (3) Know the deadline(s); (4) Decide if financial terms are acceptable (bottom-line value); (5) Learn your leverage (legal and practical); (6) Learn and understand terms of severance agreement; (7) Don’t threaten legal action without a lawyer; (8) When negotiating, keep language polite and factual; (9) If thinking about hiring an attorney, consider potential value gained versus potential fees/costs; and (10) Define a goal or range of objectives to pursue.