When an employee is fired, many times employers present to the employee a severance agreement. These agreements may be labeled differently, such as a "Waiver and Separation Agreement." Generally, a severance agreement provides that in exchange for agreeing not to sue or bring a claim against the employer for possibly violating employment laws, you will be given a certain amount of money or wages. Signing such a waiver should be done with extreme caution!

Generally, waivers are enforceable. It is often difficult to sue or bring a claim after such a waiver has been signed in exchange for a sum of money. You need an experienced severance agreement attorney to review this agreement. An experienced separation agreement attorney will be able to inform you whether you are receiving appropriate money for giving up your rights to sue or file a claim. Never sign a separation or severance agreement without consulting an employment attorney.

Edith Pearce is an expert employment attorney. If you are considering entering into a separation agreement or contract in Philadelphia or anywhere in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Ms. Pearce will review your employment contract and advise you on how you should proceed. Also, if you currently have an employment contract and may become separated from your employer or suffer adverse actions against you, you need an experienced employment contract attorney to advise you.

Unpaid Wages or Benefits upon termination

Sometimes an Employer will not honor the terms of an employment contract or employee handbook and not pay an employee the proper wages or benefits (i.e., sick time, vacation time) that were promised before being fired.

If you feel your rights to lawful or agreed-upon payments or other terms of employment are being violated or you simply need an attorney to review a proposed severance or separation agreement, it is a good idea to speak with an experienced employment contract attorney in order to protect your rights.

If an employee is not paid his or her wages, commissions, or benefits upon termination, an action to enforce payment may be brought under the Pennsylvania Wage Payment and Collection Law (WPCL). The WPCL was enacted to provide a vehicle for employees to enforce payment of all covered wages and fringe benefits not properly paid and owed by their employer. The WPCL liberally provides employees with remedies to recover compensation of all types which are earned and owed to them by their employers. Examples include unpaid commissions, vacation pay, sick pay, unpaid overtime, etc. The purpose of the WPCL is not only to protect the wages of employees, but also, has a co-equal purpose, to allow for the punishment of employers and thereby to provide a powerful disincentive to any employer's temptation to fail to pay wages rightfully due an employee.

Edith Pearce has handled numerous cases involving the Pennsylvania Wage Payment Collection Law. It is important to have an experienced employment attorney to handle your case. Edith Pearce has reviewed many severance and separation agreements and negotiated the terms to make sure an employee's rights are protected.

Experience & Expertise

If your employer has violated the terms of your employment or you simply are being requested to sign a severance agreement, Edith Pearce can help. An expert in employment compensation and employment law, Ms. Pearce will work to protect your rights. If the terms of your employment have been violated or breached, she will attempt to obtain full and fair compensation for you. It is important to choose an experienced employment compensation attorney to represent you because employment laws are constantly changing and being reinterpreted by the courts. Up-to-the-minute knowledge of these rapid developments is absolutely critical to your case.

The Compensation You Deserve

If you feel that your rights under the terms of your employment have been violated by an employer or potential employer, and you have not been fairly paid the wages due to you, the Pearce Law Firm will thoroughly investigate your claim and will work diligently to arrive at a timely settlement or proceed to trial to obtain the compensation you deserve. The Pearce Law Firm takes an aggressive approach to breaches of an employment contract, including swift investigation, early trial posturing and vigorous pursuit of employers who violate the terms of an employment agreement.

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If you are entering into a severance or separation agreement, or feel your employment rights have been violated by your employer in Philadelphia or anywhere in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, call the Pearce Law Firm employment attorneys today for a FREE CONSULTATION, or send us an instant e-mail.