How to Ask for More Severance Pay & Negotiate an Exit Package (Without Burning Bridges)

Being let go is stressful enough — and receiving a lowball severance offer can make it worse. You may know you’re entitled to more, but the last thing you want is to come off as combative or risk losing a positive reference letter. 

The good news? It’s entirely possible to try to negotiate your severance package and ask for more severance pay without damaging your reputation or future references. In this post, we’ll show you how to negotiate an exit package diplomatically, strategically, and effectively.

1. Understand What You’re Really Entitled To

Before you counter anything, take the time to understand whether the offer is fair. Many employers only offer minimum statutory entitlements under employment standards legislation, but under Canadian common law, you may be owed much more. This could be 1-2 months of pay per year of service, or even more depending on your age, position, and job market.

Use SeverEase's Severance Estimator to get a rough estimate of your entitlements based on:

• Your length of service

• Age and seniority

• Position and industry

• Availability of similar work

2. Review the Release Before You Sign Anything

Most severance offers come with a Full and Final Release — a legal document that, once signed, waives your right to ask for anything further.

Do not sign anything immediately. Take time to review the offer and understand what you’re giving up. The signing deadline is often arbitrary and negotiable.

3. Be Respectful, But Assertive

Negotiation doesn’t mean confrontation. You can be respectful and firm. A good way to frame your request is to focus on fairness, not demands.

This keeps the tone cooperative, not combative, and opens the door for discussion without burning bridges.

4. Use a Template (So You Don’t Have to Guess What to Say)

Writing your own counteroffer can be intimidating.

SeverEase offers guidebooks, modules, and lawyer-drafted templates to help you:

• Understand your legal entitlements

• Know what to ask for and how to ask for it

• Professionally respond to a severance offer

  
  

You don’t need to sound like a lawyer, but you should sound composed, informed, and strategic. Our templates help you get there.

5. Be Prepared for a Bit of Pushback

It’s normal for employers to respond with a “this is standard” line — but that doesn’t mean you’re wrong to ask for more. Remember: the first offer is rarely the final or best offer. Many employers expect some back-and-forth when it comes to termination offers and often leave room in their initial offer to improve it by a few extra weeks.

Stay calm, reaffirm your position, and keep the conversation focused on resolving things professionally. Often, employers are willing to increase their offer slightly if you ask, especially if you’re clear, respectful, and show that you’ve done your homework.

Final Thoughts: Advocate for Yourself, Without the Conflict

You don’t necessarily need a lawyer to have a fair negotiation — just the right language and strategy.

With SeverEase, you get access to templates and resources used by experienced employment lawyers, so you can ask for what you deserve without burning bridges.

Ready to Respond to a Severance Offer?

Download our severance counteroffer template and get step-by-step guidance on how to reply with confidence. Get Started with SeverEase

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.