{"product_id":"dont-sign-your-severance-yet","title":"The Severance Survival Kit: What to Check Before You Sign","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDon’t Sign Your Severance Yet\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eA practical guide to slowing down, understanding your offer, and negotiating before you leave\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you’ve just been offered a severance package, settlement agreement, redundancy payment, or exit deal, the worst thing you can do is panic-sign.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost people are not given a bad deal because they are powerless.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey are given a bad deal because they are shocked, under pressure, and do not realise the first offer is often only the starting point.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDon’t Sign Your Severance Yet\u003c\/strong\u003e is a practical digital guide designed to help you pause, understand what may be negotiable, and prepare better questions before you agree to anything.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is not about being difficult.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is about protecting yourself before you sign away rights, income, benefits, references, or future options.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat this guide helps you do\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis guide helps you understand the key parts of a severance or settlement offer before you respond.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou’ll learn how to look at:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe severance payment\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYour notice period\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHoliday pay and unpaid entitlements\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBenefits continuation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReference wording\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRestrictive clauses\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConfidentiality wording\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNon-disparagement clauses\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYour leaving date\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLegal advice requirements\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNegotiation points you may not have considered\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe aim is simple: help you slow the process down, get clear, and avoid making a rushed decision while under pressure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy you should not rush to sign\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen someone is told their role is ending, the emotional pressure is immediate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou may feel:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShocked\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEmbarrassed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAngry\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWorried about money\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePressured by deadlines\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUnsure what is normal\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAfraid that negotiating will make things worse\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat is exactly why you need a clear framework before you respond.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA severance agreement is not just a payment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is often a legal document that may affect what you can say, what you can claim, what you can challenge, and how you leave the business.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnce it is signed, your options may become very limited.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat’s included\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInside the digital guide, you’ll get:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e1. Severance offer review checklist\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA structured checklist to help you review the offer line by line before signing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e2. Negotiation points list\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA practical list of items that may be open to negotiation, including money, notice, benefits, references, timing, and wording.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e3. Questions to ask before signing\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eClear questions you can raise with your employer, HR team, adviser, or legal representative.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e4. Red flag clauses to look for\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA plain-English overview of clauses that deserve closer attention before you agree.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e5. Response planning framework\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA simple way to organise your reply so you do not react emotionally or give away leverage too early.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e6. Example negotiation wording\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuggested wording you can adapt when asking for more time, clarification, improved terms, or legal advice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWho this is for\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis guide is for you if:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYou have been offered a severance package\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYou are going through redundancy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYou have received a settlement agreement\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYou are being asked to sign exit paperwork\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYou feel pressured to respond quickly\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYou want to understand what may be negotiable\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYou want to prepare before speaking to a legal adviser\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYou want to avoid leaving money or protections on the table\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is especially useful if this is your first time dealing with a severance or settlement agreement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThis is not legal advice\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis guide is designed for general education and preparation only.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt does not replace advice from a qualified employment lawyer, solicitor, union representative, workplace advocate, or other appropriate professional adviser.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEmployment law varies by country, state, contract, employer, industry, and individual circumstances.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBefore signing any legal agreement, you should take independent professional advice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy this matters\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe first offer is not always the final offer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEmployers often expect questions, clarification, and reasonable negotiation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut if you sign too quickly, you may lose the opportunity to improve the outcome.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA better severance outcome may include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA higher payment\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA longer notice period\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBetter reference wording\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eContinued benefits\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMore time to consider the offer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA cleaner exit\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReduced legal or reputational risk\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBetter positioning for your next role\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe difference is often not aggression.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is preparation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eInstant digital access\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a digital product.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter purchase, you will receive access to download the guide and start reviewing your situation immediately.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo physical product will be shipped.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eImportant reminder\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDo not sign under pressure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDo not assume the first offer is final.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDo not rely only on what HR tells you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePause, review, ask questions, and get advice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDon’t sign your severance yet.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs this legal advice?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. This guide is general information only. It is designed to help you prepare better questions and understand common negotiation areas before taking professional advice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan this help me negotiate a better severance package?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt can help you identify possible negotiation points and prepare a more structured response. It cannot guarantee any specific outcome.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs this only for the UK?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe principles may be useful in many countries, but employment law differs by jurisdiction. You should always check the rules that apply where you live and work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eShould I still speak to a lawyer?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Before signing any severance, redundancy, settlement, or exit agreement, you should consider independent professional advice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs this suitable if I have already signed?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt may still help you understand what happened, but it is most useful before you sign anything.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"drewmitchell.co.uk","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47074822848668,"sku":null,"price":9.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0748\/1835\/5356\/files\/severance-survival-kit.png?v=1781650779","url":"https:\/\/drewmitchell.co.uk\/products\/dont-sign-your-severance-yet","provider":"drewmitchell.co.uk","version":"1.0","type":"link"}