severance

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'severance' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to the money and/or benefits an employee receives upon leaving a job or being laid off. For example: Upon his termination, John received a generous severance package to help him during his job transition.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The fatal blow was usually cushioned by a severance package worth several million dollars.See article: Tough at the topTwo new giants were created in the drug industry: Glaxo Wellcome announced a union with SmithKline Beecham, and Pfizer completed its acquisition of Warner-Lambert.

The Economist

"Reforming severance pay arrangements and addressing these problems of the past have been a priority for me from day one as director general," Hall said.

The Guardian

Anne Bulford, the BBC's managing director for operations and finance, who is giving evidence alongside Patten and Hall, says the only BBC executives that she knows of who paid money back from their severance payments were John Smith and Roly Keating.

The Guardian

But I have said to the cabinet secretary that I will not accept the ministerial severance payment that is normally offered to ministers when they leave office".

The Guardian

The founder of the US fashion brand American Apparel, who was fired last week, has launched a campaign to get his job back and said he will seek severance pay of up to $25m £15mm) if he is unsuccessful.

The Guardian - Business

Losing their severance pay will cost Carmichael £16,876, and Roddin at least £15,500.

The Guardian

The National Audit Office examined a further 90 severance payments made to corporation executives after its report on an initial study of 60 cases, published earlier this year, showed many staff were paid more than they were entitled to.

The Guardian

The NAO said in 18 cases the correct internal scrutiny and approval process was not followed, including one in which approval was not provided until after severance of £141,000 had already been paid.

The Guardian

The separate BBC management-commissioned report by KMPG into severance payments proposed a number of new measures to introduce stricter oversight.

The Guardian

Wednesday's "supplementary note" on the NAO's initial July report said that across 150 severance payments to senior managers in the three years to the end of 2012, the BBC paid "more salary in lieu of notice than it was contractually obliged to in 22 cases, at a total cost of £1.4m".

The Guardian

Before the session ends, Patten says he wants to clarify that Mark Thompson did not repay the BBC money from his severance payment.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "severance", be specific about what the package includes. Mention whether it covers pay, benefits, outplacement services, or other forms of support.

Common error

Avoid using "severance" interchangeably with general terms like "separation". "Severance" specifically implies compensation and benefits provided upon termination, while "separation" simply denotes the end of employment.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "severance" is as a noun. It commonly denotes the act of separating or the state of being separated, but most frequently refers to the compensation and benefits given to an employee upon termination, as validated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "severance" is a noun commonly used to describe the end of employment and particularly the benefits or compensation an employee receives upon leaving a company. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term is grammatically correct and frequently appears in news and formal business contexts. When writing about "severance", it's important to clarify whether you are referring to the act of separating or the compensation package itself. Related phrases include "separation package", "termination benefits", and "redundancy compensation". While often used in a neutral tone, contexts surrounding "severance" can sometimes be controversial, as seen in reports about executive "severance" payments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

separation package

Focuses on the benefits and compensation provided upon leaving a company.

termination benefits

Emphasizes the advantages and entitlements received when employment ends.

redundancy compensation

Highlights the payment given to employees when their position is no longer needed.

dismissal pay

Specifically refers to the money paid upon being dismissed from a job.

exit package

A broader term that encompasses all aspects of leaving a company, including benefits and support.

golden handshake

An informal term for a generous severance package, often for executives.

separation agreement

Highlights the formal agreement outlining the terms of departure.

outplacement services

Focuses on the support provided to help a departing employee find a new job.

contract termination

Emphasizes the ending of a contractual employment agreement.

employee departure

A general term referring to an employee leaving a company, without specifying the reason.

FAQs

How is "severance" typically used in a sentence?

Generally, "severance" appears in the context of employment termination or separation, often referring to the benefits or compensation provided. For example, "She received a generous "severance package" upon leaving the company".

What are some alternatives to using the word "severance"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "separation package", "termination benefits", or "redundancy compensation".

Is there a difference between "severance pay" and a "severance package"?

"Severance pay" refers specifically to the monetary compensation provided upon termination, while a "severance package" encompasses all benefits, including pay, extended health insurance, and outplacement services.

What factors usually determine the amount of "severance" an employee receives?

The amount of "severance" can depend on factors such as the employee's tenure, position, and employment contract, as well as company policies and local labor laws. It can also be negotiated as part of a "separation agreement".