Exits and terms of departure

Sometimes, things just don’t work out or a too-good-to-miss opportunity comes your way. Whatever the reason, our employment lawyers can help to manage your exit in as seamless and amicable manner as possible, using our reputation management skills and discretion where necessary.

Navigating settlement agreements

If your relationship with your employer is fragile or has completely broken down, the best option for you is to instruct someone to negotiate an exit package on your behalf as it makes the whole process less hostile. Not only does this remove the stress on you but it also increases the chances of your employer engaging in negotiations.

Alternatively, your employer may have unexpectedly started discussions with you about a possible exit. This may have come as a shock to you and you will need time to come to terms with it. We will talk you through the steps, your options and how best to conduct these potentially difficult conversations.

We will assess the circumstances of your exit, your legal rights and take into consideration the commercial and reputational risks of both parties. We will then agree a strategy with you to ensure that you are in the strongest possible position to negotiate with your employer.

Our team will consider any restrictions, including non-competes by which you may be bound, and help you negotiate either a release or a more workable solution that enables you to proceed with your career plans.

Many senior executives’ employment will end as a result of a mutually agreed settlement with their employer. Exit packages can be a discreet way of leaving your employment as the settlement agreement usually contains a clause preventing either party from discussing it, an agreed reference, and internal and external announcements that can help to protect your professional reputation. You can find out more in our settlement agreement negotiations page.

Approachable, knowledgeable and engaged. Everyone you interact with offers support and assistance – no problem is too big, and practical and relevant advice is given. The Penningtons team are a pleasure to work with; they actively simplify the complex!

Investing in professional legal advice early is a smart move as your employer’s main incentive will be to avoid a claim being brought against them. Therefore, the best time to negotiate is as soon as possible and within the time-limits for bringing your claim. Many employment claims such as unfair dismissal have very stringent time-limits such as three months.

Our employment team at Penningtons Manches Cooper can help you protect your reputation and career allowing you to move on to your next opportunity.

How we help our clients

Exit strategy options and preferred timings

Initiating settlement agreement discussions

Implication of non-competes, and other post-termination obligations on future plans and impact of any breaches of covenants

Implication of your exit timeframes on salary and bonus, bonus payments and share options

Empathetic legal support.

Real care on both a personal and professional level.

Recent work highlights

C-suite contested exits

Acting for several C-suite founders, directors and board members on contentious exits and successfully negotiating high-value financial and non-financial settlements.

‘Good leaver’ provisions for CFO exit

Negotiating an amicable exit for a long-standing CFO of a private equity firm including protection of carried interest and the release of post-termination restrictions.

Exit strategy for senior executive

Advising a senior executive and internationally renowned scientist at a cybersecurity research and consulting firm in relation to an exit strategy involving multiple complaints leading to internal investigations and disciplinaries implicating senior executives and retention of patents and IP belonging to the senior executive.

Exit of private equity partner

Advising the executive on his exit strategy including the recovery of valuable equity and a release from his post-termination restrictions enabling him to join a competitor of his choosing.

Exit strategy for managing director of international transport group

Acting for a transport executive on her exit strategy and terms including raising potential constructive dismissal and disability claims to maximise her financial terms, preserve her equity and secure her release from post-termination restrictions.