Guide

Questions to Ask HR Before You Sign Anything

About the clock

"Please confirm in writing the last day of my consideration period, counted from today." (Their answer, in writing, is part of your file — and asking it signals you know the count is the law's, not the letter's.)
"If any term changes while I am considering, will you confirm the new date in writing?"
"Who exactly do I contact with questions, and who receives a revocation if I sign and change my mind?"

"Show me the severance formula as applied to me — weeks per year of service, and my years counted."
"What happens to my bonus / commissions for the part of the year I worked, under the plan's own terms?"
"How many vested options do I hold, and what is the exact last day to exercise them?"
"When is my final paycheck, and does it include unused vacation under state law?"

"Will the non-compete and non-solicit clauses be narrowed to the role I actually held?"
"What exactly will you confirm to a reference check — and can we put a reference letter in the agreement?"
"Am I recorded as eligible for rehire?"
(Group layoff) "Please provide the disclosure listing titles and ages of those selected and the ages of those not selected." Asking for the list by its legal description gets it produced.

Ask by email where you can. A meeting answer is a memory; an email answer is a record.

Included in the $49 SeveranceDecoded Kit

The clause-by-clause decoder — every clause in plain words: what it means, what to look for, the exact questions to raise
The paperwork audit (the legal checklist) — every item the law names for workers 40+, checked against your documents
The group layoff list audit (Exhibit A) — titles and ages of who was picked and who was not, checked line by line. No other tool does this
The negotiation playbook — what companies actually move on (money, dates, stock deadlines, the non-compete, your reference) and the words that move them
Ready-to-send scripts: asking for more time, asking for changes, and the change-your-mind letter (revocation)
The red-flag page — the short list of facts that mean a lawyer's paid hour is worth it, and how to find one who does this daily

One payment. Yours to keep. Works for any severance agreement, any state.