Termination agreement in employment law

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You have received a termination agreement? What now?

Law firm for labor law in Kerpen, Cologne and Witten

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In contrast to the Cancellation for many companies, the termination agreement is a common means of terminating an employment relationship. What is the right Processing The development of such a system requires a number of important points to be taken into account.

Many entrepreneurs make the mistake of disregarding the essential requirements for the validity of a termination agreement. For this must be in accordance with  §§ 623, 126 BGB there is an agreement in writing between the employee and the employer on the termination of the employment relationship. Only then is this valid. However, the requirement of written form is only met if both parties have also signed this agreement personally and by hand. In this case, electronic signatures are not a form of signature that can be used.
In such a case, the termination agreement would be considered invalid.

In such a case, you should contact an Lawyer for labor law and have them advised and represented. Since the subsequent steps of revoking the termination agreement, contesting it or withdrawing from it are characterized by many legal pitfalls. The general regulations on rescission apply to the termination agreement, § 123 BGB, and that to resign, § 323 BGB.

In such cases, particular attention must also be paid to the requirement of fair negotiation. Here, too, representation by a Lawyer for labor law advisable, since the Lawyer in the context of negotiations, can significantly increase the pressure of negotiations, and usually better final results in the form of higher Severance payments can be achieved.

Another issue concerning the termination of an employment relationship by means of a termination agreement is the AGB control, insofar as the content of the annulmentual contractges is not seriously up for negotiation. Is it an individual termination agreement or a standard termination agreement? This also makes a serious legal difference.

Do not be naive! Leave the review of your termination agreement and the conduct of negotiations on the contents thereof with the employer to a Lawyer for labor law. Because this significantly increases your chance of success in the event of a dispute and often leads to higher Severance payments and shorter associated non-competition clauses. Often, with the involvement of a Lawyer also significantly shortens the time it takes to reach an out-of-court settlement. 

However, we also do not shy away from the chamber hearing. If no agreement can be reached with the (former) employer at the conciliation hearing, we will fight for you until the labor court reaches a decision. 

Therefore, leave the contesting of a termination agreement to the Professionals. At best, you have legal protection insurance, if not, apply for we Legal aid for you or discuss with you the costs and benefits of any litigation to be conducted.

Take care of your professional future, we do the rest!

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The specifics of the termination agreement

Special features of the termination agreement

Basically, it should be noted that termination agreements can be very extensive and complicated under certain circumstances. However, there are some points that employers and employees should pay attention to. First of all, the contract must be in writing; electronic form alone is not sufficient in this case.

Another detail that should not be underestimated is that the difference between a termination and a termination agreement is that a termination agreement does not require consultation with the works council and the rules of protection against dismissal do not apply. For this reason, it is possible to conclude such an agreement without having to observe any deadlines.

A termination agreement often includes severance pay, but this is not mandatory. An employee is entitled to receive a qualified reference even after concluding a termination agreement.

With regard to the social security consequences of terminating employment relationships, in this case by concluding a termination agreement, the employer is generally not affected by the duty to provide information.

However, with regard to the potential loss of the employee's claims by concluding such a contract, such as the company pension plan, the employee should seek comprehensive advice from an attorney for employment law and, if necessary, have appropriate clauses included in the contract. Any outstanding statutory minimum vacation of the employee must always be compensated in such a termination agreement. Forcing employees to waive this is ineffective.

What should a termination agreement contain?

Relevant contents of a termination agreement

A termination agreement is a crucial document that regulates the amicable termination of an employment relationship between employer and employee. The contents of such an agreement are varied and include several key points that relate to both legal and practical aspects. The typical contents and their significance are explained in more detail below.

Parties to the contract

The contracting parties are clearly defined at the beginning of a termination agreement. These are usually the employer and the employee. Naming the parties correctly is crucial in order to avoid confusion and create legal clarity.

Termination date

The contract must specify a clear termination date. This is the date on which the employment relationship officially ends. It is important that this date is clearly defined in order to avoid misunderstandings and make planning easier for both parties.

Severance payment regulations

A central component of many severance agreements is the severance payment provision. The severance payment is financial compensation that the employee receives for the loss of their job. The amount of severance pay can vary and depends on various factors, such as the length of service, the age of the employee and the individual negotiations between the parties. Lawyers often play a crucial role in negotiating a fair severance package.

Vacation entitlements and overtime

The contract should also contain provisions regarding outstanding vacation entitlements and overtime. These can either be compensated by time off or financial compensation. It is important that these entitlements are clearly regulated in the contract in order to avoid disputes at a later date.

Job reference

Another important aspect is the issuing of a reference. The contract should stipulate that the employee receives a favorable and qualified reference. The exact wording can also be part of the contract to ensure that the reference does not harm the employee's future career opportunities.

Confidentiality agreement

Many termination agreements contain a confidentiality agreement. This is intended to ensure that neither party passes on confidential information obtained during the employment relationship to third parties. Such clauses are particularly important in industries with sensitive data or business secrets.

Return of company property

The contract should also regulate the return of company property. This includes company cars, laptops, cell phones and other materials provided to the employee for the performance of their duties. The modalities of the return should be clearly defined in order to avoid misunderstandings.

Non-compete clause

Some termination agreements contain a non-competition clause that prevents the employee from working for a competing company for a certain period of time after termination of the employment relationship. However, such clauses must be reasonable and proportionate in order to be legally enforceable.

Special payments and bonuses

If the employee is entitled to special payments or bonuses, these should be explicitly mentioned in the contract. It should be clearly regulated whether and to what extent such payments will be made despite the termination of the employment relationship.

Protection against dismissal and notice periods

In some cases, the termination agreement may contain clauses relating to protection against dismissal and existing notice periods. It is important that these aspects are clearly regulated to ensure that both parties know their rights and obligations.

Final provisions

At the end, the contract often contains final provisions that regulate general legal points. These include that all previous agreements are replaced by the termination agreement and that changes to the agreement must be made in writing.

Drafting a termination agreement requires careful consideration and negotiation to ensure that the interests of both parties are safeguarded. A lawyer can provide valuable support by clarifying the legal intricacies and ensuring that the employee leaves the employment relationship on the best possible terms. Clearly setting out all the relevant points in the contract is crucial to avoid later conflict and ensure a smooth transition to the next stage of the career. By thoroughly regulating all aspects, from severance pay and references to confidentiality agreements, the termination agreement helps to secure the employee's professional and financial future.

Effects of a termination agreement

Possible effects of a termination agreement

The employment relationship ends on the date specified and provided for in the termination agreement. However, this passage may also entail disadvantages for the employee. Firstly, the employee is obliged to register as a jobseeker with the employment agency three months before the end of the employment relationship, at the latest within three days of becoming aware of the date. 

Under certain circumstances, the entitlement to unemployment benefits (ALGI) is suspended if the employment relationship is terminated earlier by a termination agreement than by a notice of termination. If the contract is concluded without good cause on the part of the employee, the entitlement to unemployment benefits is suspended by a blocking period of usually 3 months (12 weeks). 

An important reason is, for example, an otherwise threatened termination for operational reasons. Likewise, the loss of a job requirement/fitness indicated by a serious illness also constitutes good cause in such a scenario. However, an entitlement to maternity pay only exists in the event of termination, not in the event of the conclusion of a termination agreement.

Is it possible to withdraw from a termination agreement?

Withdrawal from a termination agreement

The employment relationship ends on the date specified and provided for in the termination agreement. However, this passage may also entail disadvantages for the employee. Firstly, the employee is obliged to register as a jobseeker with the employment agency three months before the end of the employment relationship, at the latest within three days of becoming aware of the date. 

Under certain circumstances, the entitlement to unemployment benefits (ALGI) is suspended if the employment relationship is terminated earlier by a termination agreement than by a notice of termination. If the contract is concluded without good cause on the part of the employee, the entitlement to unemployment benefits is suspended by a blocking period of usually 3 months (12 weeks). 

An important reason is, for example, an otherwise threatened termination for operational reasons. Likewise, the loss of a job requirement/fitness indicated by a serious illness also constitutes good cause in such a scenario. However, an entitlement to maternity pay only exists in the event of termination, not in the event of the conclusion of a termination agreement.

Post-contractual non-competition clause

Prohibitions on parental leave and compensation

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It is now common practice for most companies to grant employees above a certain hierarchical level a post-contractual non-competition clause, a waiting clause, in which Employment contract to be included. The purpose of this is to protect the company after the employee leaves from the employee becoming a Employment relationship starts at a competitor company and harms the former employer with his industry-specific knowledge.

However, the associated costs are not always commensurate with the benefits of this. This is because many companies often forget that a post-contractual non-compete agreement also has a price. According to Section 74 (2) of the German Commercial Code (HGB), a post-contractual non-compete agreement is only valid and binding if it provides for the payment of compensation, compensation for waiting.

This must correspond to at least half of the employee's last annual salary per year of the ban. Otherwise, this is to be considered ineffective!

In this particular case, too, the advice to contact an experienced attorney for employment law always applies. As part of the legal advice and the associated representation before the employer, this lawyer can ensure that, on the one hand, the non-competition compensation associated with the non-competition agreement can be adjusted and increased or that an early withdrawal from this can be effected in the interest of the employee.

So don't leave anything to chance! Contact us. Together with you, we will develop a strategy to enforce your claims. We are not uncritical, but know: Being right and getting right are two different things.

In most cases, even claims that were thought to be secure turn out to be difficult to enforce. For this reason, we discuss with you the chances of success of enforcing your rights in our Law office by.

The role of a lawyer in negotiations

The added value of an employment lawyer as a representative in negotiations

A termination lawyer is more than just a legal advisor; he or she acts as a strategic partner who guides the employee through the often complex and emotionally stressful phase of contract negotiations. The lawyer's main task is to ensure that the employee is not disadvantaged in any way, especially financially. This includes examining the contractual terms offered as well as explaining the possible consequences of accepting certain terms. At the same time, the lawyer negotiates better conditions in order to protect the employee's interests in the best possible way.

Avoidance of disadvantages

Without the assistance of a lawyer, there is a significant risk that the employee will agree to a termination agreement that imposes unfavorable conditions. These terms could result in long-term financial disadvantages that have a negative impact on the employee's standard of living. An experienced lawyer will help identify and avoid such pitfalls by bringing a deep understanding of the legal intricacies and negotiation tactics required to achieve the best possible results.

Severance payment regulations

A central point of every termination agreement is the severance payment. This one-off payment is intended to compensate the employee for the loss of their job and give them the opportunity to financially secure the transition to new employment. Termination agreement lawyers are particularly adept at negotiating higher severance payments than those originally offered. Through in-depth knowledge of legal precedents and the use of effective negotiation strategies, attorneys can often achieve substantial improvements in severance amounts.

Employment references

Another often underestimated aspect of a termination agreement is the reference. A favorable and correctly worded reference is crucial for the employee's future career. An experienced lawyer will ensure that the reference does justice to the employee's performance and abilities and does not contain any wording that could harm their career opportunities. This lays the foundation for a successful application to future employers.

Unfair conditions

An employee who signs a termination agreement without legal advice risks accepting unfair conditions. This can lead to considerable financial and professional disadvantages. Without the expertise of a lawyer, clauses that disadvantage the employee could be overlooked, such as unfavorable severance payment provisions or disadvantageous wording in the reference.

Long-term financial disadvantages

Without the support of a lawyer, important aspects could be overlooked that could cause long-term financial losses. This includes not only the amount of severance pay, but also tax implications, pension entitlements and potential restrictions on future employment. A lawyer can help to identify and address these aspects in advance to ensure that the employee is protected in the best possible way.

Common mistakes and their consequences

Without professional support, many employees make mistakes that could have been avoided. This often leads to unnecessary periods of unemployment benefit suspension, unfavorable severance arrangements or an unfavorable reference. The consequences of such mistakes can be far-reaching and have a negative impact on the employee's professional and financial future.

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Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What is the difference between a termination agreement and a notice of termination?

A termination agreement is an amicable agreement between the employer and employee to terminate the employment relationship. Both parties agree on the terms of the termination. A notice of termination, on the other hand, is a unilateral declaration by either the employer or the employee to terminate the employment relationship. A notice period must usually be observed in the event of termination, whereas this is not mandatory for a termination agreement.

What are the advantages of a termination agreement for the employee?

A termination agreement can offer the employee several advantages. These include the possibility of making the termination of the employment relationship more flexible, negotiating a potentially higher severance payment and receiving a favorable reference. It can also help to resolve any conflicts with the employer amicably.

What disadvantages can a termination agreement have for the employee?

One possible disadvantage of a termination agreement is the risk of a suspension of unemployment benefits, as the employment agency could consider the termination of the employment relationship to be self-inflicted. In addition, the employee could waive the rights to protection against dismissal to which they would be entitled in the event of unilateral termination by the employer.

How does a termination agreement affect unemployment benefit?

A termination agreement can lead to a suspension period for unemployment benefit that can last up to twelve weeks. This is because the termination agreement terminates the employment relationship by mutual agreement, which the employment agency could consider to be self-inflicted. A lawyer can help to draft the terms of the contract in such a way that a suspension period is avoided.

Can I revoke the termination agreement after I have signed it?

As a rule, there is no statutory right of revocation for termination contracts, unless such a right is expressly agreed in the contract. However, the contract can be contested if it was concluded under pressure, deception or error. In such cases, it is advisable to seek legal advice.

Does the termination agreement have to be in writing?

Yes, a termination agreement must be in writing to be effective. A verbal agreement is not sufficient to meet the legal requirements. Both parties must sign the agreement and each party should receive a copy of the signed agreement.

How is the amount of the severance payment determined?

The amount of severance pay is a matter for negotiation and depends on various factors, such as the length of service, the age of the employee, the economic situation of the company and the individual negotiating skills of the parties. A lawyer is often consulted in order to negotiate a fair severance payment.

What happens to outstanding vacation entitlements in the termination agreement?

Outstanding vacation entitlements should be regulated in the termination agreement. They can be settled either through time off during the notice period or through financial compensation. It is important that these entitlements are clearly documented in the contract in order to avoid conflicts later on.

Can a termination agreement contain a non-competition clause?

Yes, a termination agreement can contain a non-competition clause that prevents the employee from working for a competing company for a certain period of time after the end of the employment relationship. However, such clauses must be proportionate and reasonable in order to be legally enforceable.

What should I do before I sign a termination agreement?

Before you sign a termination agreement, you should inform yourself thoroughly about the conditions and understand them. It is advisable to seek legal advice, especially to avoid possible disadvantages such as a suspension of unemployment benefits. Check all clauses carefully, including the severance pay, the reference and the provisions on vacation entitlements and non-competition clauses.

Conclusion

A lawyer for termination agreements is an indispensable partner when terminating an employment relationship. The complexity of the legal framework and the potential pitfalls lurking in a termination agreement make the expertise of a lawyer indispensable. They protect the interests of their clients and ensure that they leave the employment relationship under the best possible conditions. Investing in legal advice is worthwhile in order to avoid long-term financial and professional disadvantages and to enable a smooth transition to the next professional phase. By ensuring that all aspects of the termination agreement are carefully considered and negotiated, the solicitor plays a key role in ensuring that the employee is protected both financially and career-wise in the best possible way.

In numerous cases, we have successfully negotiated better conditions for our clients for termination agreements. These often included higher severance payments, better wording in the reference letter and more favorable contractual terms. Such successes show that professional conduct of negotiations and a deep understanding of the legal framework can lead to considerable advantages for the employee.

Have you been terminated or received a severance agreement from your employer?

Then contact us

+49 (0) 2273 - 40 68 504

info@kanzlei-baumfalk.de

Law firm for employment law in Kerpen and Witten

Lawyer for - Labor Law | Criminal Law | IT Law | Data Protection

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