separation agreement

Definition

A legal contract outlining the terms of an employment exit, typically trading severance payments for liability releases and non-disparagement promises. It's a divorce settlement for your job.

Example Usage

The separation agreement gave him six months of salary in exchange for releasing all claims and not badmouthing the company on Glassdoor.

Origin

Standard employment law practice formalized in the late 20th century

Fun Fact

Separation agreements often include social media clauses attempting to control what you say online, though enforceability varies by jurisdiction.

Source: Employment law and termination practices

Related Terms

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competitive compensation package

A vague promise in job postings that usually means below-market salary plus benefits everyone else offers anyway. It's competitive only if you're comparing against companies actively trying to underpay people.

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reference check

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managing out

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constructive dismissal

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compa-ratio

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