Average in-house severance Forum

[Anonymous User]

Straight to the point here: what is a typical/average severance amount for an in-house counsel who's been laid off as part of mass layoffs?

In summary, I was at a relatively late-stage start up for about a year. In recent months the business has collapsed and the company finances have become a mess. There have been large layoffs, and now it's caught up to me. They're offering two weeks. I would have expected more severance in a typical scenario, but when the company is at risk of closing up shop, I'm not sure there's any room, and I think I just need to eat it.

Curious if anyone has experience or insight. Appreciate it!

[trebekismyhero]

Sorry to hear about your company and layoff. It varies, unfortunately unless you have an employment agreement outlining severance, a start up is probably going to offer you less. No harm in asking for more though.

At my last company, I had 3 months' minimum severance written in my agreement. At my current company, I do not have that, but pay bump was good enough that I didn't push. No idea what severance would be now. Wouldn't be shocked if it were 2 weeks up to 5 or 6 months. Meta offered 16 weeks, Twitter has been offering 3 months. I think that is typical for established companies.

[Buglaw]

I’m not really sure what you can do besides accept it. Unfortunately, if things are that dire, there are not a lot of options and they likely aren’t particularly concerned about the reputation hit from not offering much severance.

[1styearlateral]

Unless you have an agreement that requires more, it’s whatever they’ll give you. That said, if they’re asking for a release in return for severance, then you can try to leverage that for more. You’re not obligated to sign anything, so they should pay for it.