Severance Agreements for Florida C-Suite Executives Red Flags to Watch For

By Michelle Cohen Levy

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Employment Law

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Last Modified on Aug 25, 2026

Before signing any severance agreement, you must understand Florida executive severance agreement key terms and provisions. Executive severance agreements often contain unique elements compared to traditional severance agreements and often have complex legal language. This can make it difficult to fully understand a severance package when your employer hands you a severance agreement.

If, after reading about the key terms and provisions involved in these agreements, you are still unsure about whether to accept a severance agreement or to negotiate, you should consult with a Fort Lauderdale C-suite executive lawyer.

Why You Should Carefully Review Your Severance Agreement

Florida is home to many executives and senior avengers, with 18,840 employees working as Chief executives and 670,459 new business entities being filed in Florida in 2025. When employment comes to an end for these employees, severance agreements outline pay continuation, healthcare coverage, non-competes, and other legal matters that exist after employment.

Some of Florida’s top employers include Publix, Walt Disney, Amazon, school districts, and government agencies. While not all employees working for these employers receive a severance package, many do. Only about one in three laid-off workers receive severance pay, though severance pay is more common for executives.

When you receive a severance agreement, it is important to review it for inaccuracies, unfair terms, or red flags. Skipping this step can mean losing out on pay, restricting your future employment opportunities, or placing yourself in unnecessary legal risk. If you notice something amiss about a severance agreement, you should reach out to a severance agreement attorney to decide your next steps.

Biggest Red Flags C-Suite Executives Should Watch Out For

Broad language or restrictive terms in a severance agreement often point towards unfair agreements. Some common red flags to be aware of include:

• Vague payment terms. Specificity is important in an agreement because it makes the agreement easily enforceable and lets you know exactly what to expect in terms of payment. It is a red flag if your agreement does not clearly explain things such as payment amounts, payment dates, tax withholding, and other necessary details.
• Incomplete or missing compensation. Another negative sign related to payment is if your severance pay only takes into account your base pay rather than all forms of compensation. If bonuses, commissions, stock options, and other benefits are excluded from your severance agreement, you may end up being underpaid.
• Overly-broad release of legal claims. Many severance agreements contain a release of claims, which means you would forfeit your right to file a claim against your employer after signing. However, it is important that the agreement outlines which claims are being released, so as to make sure it aligns with all state and federal laws and so you understand your rights. This matters most if your job ended in a way that may have broken Florida law, because a signed release can close that door for good.
• Restrictive non-competes. If an employer tries to get you to sign a severance agreement with a non-compete clause that broadly defines competitors, has large geographic areas, or lengthy restriction periods, this is a red flag. Signing this could significantly impact your ability to find future employment.
• Vague confidentiality agreements. Confidentiality clauses in a severance agreement should define exactly what information remains confidential, how long the restriction is in effect, and the consequences for a violation. If an agreement is missing this information, it must be corrected. Otherwise, you are at risk for unintentionally violating the agreement.
• Short deadlines for signing the agreement. You should have time to review the provisions and consider the agreement before signing. Some employers pressure employees to sign a severance agreement quickly, so as to discourage thorough reading and negotiations. In certain cases the law sets a minimum amount of time you must be given, along with a short window to change your mind after signing.

Hire a Severance Agreement Lawyer Today

The Law Office of Michelle Cohen Levy, P.A., has years of experience in business and employment law. Our team understands the Florida severance agreement laws that impact severance pay and the negotiation process, and is prepared to help you achieve a fair severance agreement in Florida. We take the time to consider the long-term effects of a contract before you sign, so you don’t miss red flags that leave you regretting your decisions.

FAQs

What Is a Reasonable Severance Package for an Executive?

A reasonable executive severance package depends on factors such as your position, years of service, employment contract, compensation structure, and why you are leaving your position. Because there is so much variation, it is a good idea to hire a severance agreement lawyer who can explain what a fair package looks like for your severance agreement case and can negotiate to reach a favorable agreement.

Should You Accept a Severance Agreement Right Away?

No, you should generally not accept a severance agreement right away. Signing too soon may mean missing key provisions that could have been negotiated, leaving you in a negative, avoidable situation. This is especially true if you are leaving the company unexpectedly, as personal emotions may make it more difficult to accurately analyze an agreement. You should review a severance agreement with a severance agreement lawyer before signing.

What Are Common Mistakes to Avoid in a Severance Agreement Case?

Common mistakes in a severance agreement case include accepting the employer’s first offer without negotiating unfavorable terms, focusing only on severance pay while overlooking other provisions, signing broad releases of legal claims without understanding their consequences, and failing to seek legal advice before signing. Working with a lawyer as soon as possible can help you avoid all of these errors.

Do You Need a Lawyer to Review a Severance Agreement?

It is not legally required to have a lawyer review your severance agreement before signing, but it can be beneficial. A lawyer can make sense of complex legal language that may hide unfavorable provisions. Legal review is especially important for executives, whose severance agreements often involve high-value severance pay, strict confidentiality agreements, and restrictive non-competes.

Work With an Experienced Fort Lauderdale C-Suite Executive Lawyer

If you notice any of these red flags, you should meet with an attorney as soon as possible. The Law Office of Michelle Cohen Levy, P.A., is ready to discuss your next steps for speaking with your employer and righting any issues within your agreement. Contact us now to begin protecting your rights and opportunities from an unfair severance agreement.