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Emergency

Offered a termination agreement? Do not sign under pressure

Your employer presents you with a termination agreement, perhaps with a severance payment and the request to 'sign right away'? Do not let yourself be rushed. A termination agreement ends the employment relationship immediately and by mutual consent, and that has consequences, above all for unemployment benefits.

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Your chances of getting your money back

A termination agreement almost always leads to a blocking period (Sperrzeit) for unemployment benefits (usually 12 weeks), because you take part in ending the job. You also have no right of withdrawal: once signed, it applies.
You do not have to sign and you can negotiate (severance, end date, reference, release from work). You are entitled to time to consider; no one can force you to sign immediately.

What you should do now

  1. 1

    1. Do not sign anything right away

    Take time to consider. Do not let yourself be pressured with 'now or never'.

  2. 2

    2. Check the consequences for unemployment benefits

    Clarify the blocking-period consequences. Sometimes the wording/end date can soften things; this is delicate and should be checked.

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    3. Negotiate

    Severance, release from work, a good reference and remaining vacation are negotiable. Do not leave anything on the table.

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    4. Get legal advice

    Have the contract checked before signing (employment law; legal aid if applicable). A protection-against-dismissal claim can sometimes be the better option.

Frequently asked questions

Will I get a blocking period after a termination agreement?

As a rule yes, usually 12 weeks during which no unemployment benefit is paid, because you took part in ending the job. You should definitely plan for this and have it checked before signing.

Can I withdraw from a termination agreement?

In principle no; there is no statutory right of withdrawal. That is why: better to take time to consider, negotiate and have it checked legally beforehand than to be bound afterward.

Take action now

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General information for self-help, not legal advice (RDG). In case of a high loss or uncertainty: contact a consumer advice center or a lawyer.