San Francisco Severance Package Negotiation and Consultancy

San Francisco employment termination consultant and mediator John Koss advises corporate, public sector, and multi-employer clients regarding end-of-employment issues. Eligibility and notification controversies often arise regarding severance packages for terminated employees.

The Nature of Complaints and Conflict Regarding Severance Packages

If an employee accepts an early retirement package, but later finds out that a better one is offered and that he could have retired under a different set of rules that would have increased his pension, angry complaints and conflict ensue. Severance package negotiation and consultancy through employment mediator John Koss can be a resource for employers and in-house counsel in this area, guiding them in the design and equitable administration of severance plans and the prevention of disputes.

To schedule a consultation with Mr. Koss on severance package negotiation and related employment termination issues, contact the office of mediator John Koss in San Francisco, California.

Severance Package Negotiation at an Emotionally Charged Time

Despite the best of intentions, the emotionally charged atmosphere surrounding voluntary severance arrangements often triggers a volley of emotions: feelings of distrust, suspicions that the benefits of the severance plan are applied in an unfair or inconsistent manner, or a generalized confused hostility that saps morale and furthers team or department dissatisfaction. These feelings are not necessarily evident at the outset and often make themselves known only much later, in a lawsuit.

When such conflicts arise, an objective, outside consulting mediator such as John Koss offers distinct and extremely valuable advantages to both employers and employees.

These advantages include a third-party neutral’s take on the situation, the prospect of a “win-win” resolution, and the establishment of a policy whereby future, similar controversies are resolved in the same manner. Of course, not only does this significantly reduce the risk of future litigation and unpleasant Department of Labor or IRS audit surprises, but helps to diffuse the suspicion and distrust that could be extremely damaging to the organization long after the voluntary early retirement program has ended.

Third-Party Neutral and Equitable Resolutions

John Koss assists organizations as a third-party neutral, particularly where the organization has offered a voluntary early retirement program to certain classes of employees. His expertise and experience in these sensitive matters offers assurances to both the organization and the employee group, who must confront significant trust issues associated with such programs.

Designing Equitable – and Supportive -- Severance Plans

When Mr. Koss advises organizations in the area of employment termination and severance plans, he assists them in the design, implementation, and communication of voluntary early retirement programs. His expertise and experience in these sensitive matters offer reassurance that a financially equitable program will be established and one that acknowledges the emotional rewards and vulnerabilities for those facing such a transition.

Notification Guidelines

Notification guidelines with regard to pension plans and other aspects of severance packages, such as prevention of charges of age discrimination, are not governed by any particular law. Rather, when litigation occurs in this area, decisions are often heavily influenced by case law – precedents set by other employers and employees who were terminated.

Although employers are not required to offer severance plans or voluntary early retirement plans, those who do typically include them within their current qualified pension plans. Mr. Koss is always up to date on legal cases throughout the U.S., and IRS and Department of Labor regulations that may have an impact on an organization’s decision to offer a voluntary early retirement plan.

To schedule a consultation with Mr. Koss on severance package negotiation and related employment termination issues, contact the office of mediator John Koss in San Francisco, California.