Lara Kruse
2 months ago
Thank you so much for your prompt assistance in my rather complex case. I can highly recommend you – reliable, friendly, and straightforward!
Termination received? Check the deadline now
Berlin and across Germany
Termination and Severance Pay - Employment Lawyer in Berlin and across Germany
If you receive a termination notice or are asked to sign a separation agreement, you need a clear legal assessment and a practical negotiation strategy.
What matters in practice:
- ›Not every termination leads automatically to severance, but many cases allow room for negotiation
- ›The three-week deadline after receiving written termination is often the key lever
- ›Severance is commonly achieved through dismissal protection claims, settlements, or focused negotiations
- ›Separation agreements should also be reviewed for unemployment-benefit, release, reference, and bonus issues
You receive a direct legal assessment of your position, whether the termination should be challenged, and how a sustainable severance solution can be negotiated.
Important: A dismissal protection claim must generally be filed within three weeks of receiving the written termination. Once that deadline expires, negotiating leverage usually drops sharply.
Full service in English language
Luisa Kr
3 months ago
Fast case processing, very friendly contact, would gladly use their services again (not the accident itself, but the handling of the case by Dr. Lerch...)
Dénes B.
2 weeks ago
Mr. Lerch provided me with highly professional, calm, and dedicated support throughout my legal proceedings. I particularly appreciated his honest assessment of my case and the clear communication he maintained throughout the entire process. Thanks to his strategy and preparation, we achieved a significantly better outcome than originally anticipated in the penalty order. I felt well-advised and taken seriously at all times. I can therefore wholeheartedly recommend Mr. Lerch and thank him again for his support. B. Paal
When a review is especially useful
You received a termination notice
The immediate questions are deadlines, possible grounds to challenge the termination, and whether that leverage can improve the exit package.
A separation agreement is on the table
Before signing, severance amount, release terms, vacation, references, bonuses, and unemployment-benefit risks should be reviewed carefully.
The employer already offers severance
An early offer may look attractive, but it is not automatically balanced. The key factors are the full context, litigation risk, and negotiation room.
You want a clean exit
Besides severance, release terms, references, variable compensation, company car issues, non-compete clauses, and the timing of termination often matter.
Typical severance questions
Do I automatically have a right to severance?
There is no automatic severance right in every termination case. In practice, severance is often achieved through negotiation or court settlement; one statutory special case is section 1a KSchG for certain operational dismissals.
How quickly must I react after termination?
Very quickly. A dismissal protection claim generally must reach the labor court within three weeks after receipt of the written termination. That deadline should be checked immediately.
How is severance amount typically evaluated?
The amount depends on litigation risk, the economic situation, length of service, and pressure on both sides. In the statutory section 1a KSchG scenario, the law names 0.5 monthly salaries per year of employment.
Should I sign a separation agreement immediately?
Usually not. Before signing, it should be reviewed whether the offer is economically sound and whether disadvantages may arise regarding unemployment benefits, references, or variable pay.
How the review usually works
Step 1
Clarify documents and timing pressure
You briefly describe the matter and send the termination notice, separation agreement, or concrete offer. The first step is to identify any running deadlines.
Step 2
Assess the legal position
The review focuses on how vulnerable the termination may be, which risks exist, and how strong the negotiating position is likely to be.
Step 3
Define the strategy
The next decision is whether to negotiate out of court, file a claim, or pursue another solution.
Step 4
Execute the negotiation cleanly
If settlement makes sense, severance, reference wording, release, termination date, and other economically relevant points are negotiated in a structured way.
About Dr. Lerch
Dr. Philipp Lerch advises clients with a focus on clear legal assessments, precise communication, and economically sensible outcomes. In termination and separation matters, the key is to identify deadlines quickly, understand negotiating leverage, and pursue a solution that actually holds up.
Related topics
Dismissal and dismissal protection
Three-week deadline, dismissal protection claims, and the right immediate response after receiving a dismissal notice.