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Employers often attempt to soften the blow of an employment termination by offering the departing employee a severance package. Unless a union contract, company policy, or individual contract requires a severance payment, such offers by employers are completely voluntary. Except in unusual circumstances, employers should condition any severance package on the signing of a full and effective waiver of any potential claim by the employee.  Employers often want to keep the documentation "short and simple," but this article explores some of the nuances of separation agreement that may make a more detailed document more appropriate.