3 Points You Should Negotiate When You Are Losing Your Job
Your employer has seen a great deal of change and turmoil recently. There's talk of layoffs, and you're afraid you'll be the next. As you receive your pink slip, make sure you ask these three questions if you have been an excellent employee and the layoff is not due to anything you did:
1. Request a Reference Letter. This will help you get that new job because it will be helpful to have a letter praising your achievements and you. This will demonstrate to prospective employers that you were fired for business reasons rather than any personal transgressions. Many people don't think to inquire about this, and it is challenging to attempt to return later to request one.
2. Question severance benefits. Unless it was specifically stated in your employment contract when you were hired, you are not automatically guaranteed this. Although this is negotiable, one week of severance pay is normally awarded for every year of employment with the company. And remember to let them know, especially if you've just completed a significant project, received an honor, or accomplished a significant objective. You might be able to get an additional week of severance pay that they had not intended to give.
3. Do you have a claim for any unused vacation pay? Generally speaking, the response is no. While some businesses have a policy of rolling over unused time from one year to the next, others have a policy of "use it or lose it" You can find an explanation of the policies in the employee handbook of most companies, but you might be able to get some extra cash in the form of a few extra bucks if you ask to be reimbursed for any unused vacation time.
It's possible that you won't receive vacation or severance pay, and that's especially likely if you don't request it. Remember that your supervisor is also going through a lot, so they may grant you more than was originally anticipated. Unless you ask, you'll never know, and their worst possible response is no. Likely, you won't get another chance to ask these questions if the moment passes. Being aware of what to request in advance might provide you the self-assurance to stand up for yourself during this trying time. Best of luck!
