The Globe and Mail sought out the human resources expertise of Vancouver-based Clear HR Consulting to comment on the $571,788 severance payment paid out to Judy Rogers, who was let go by Vancouver’s new city council in December 2008, in a recent article.

When deciding on the length of working notice or severance payment for an employee, employers need to consider many factors, including the employee’s:

• Position
• Age
• Salary
• Ability to find comparable employment
• Work record
• Severance provisions of the employment contract

Employers need to consider whether it makes sense to offer close to what the employee could get through the court system, so as to avoid potentially drawn out legal battles.

For more information on how to properly calculate working notice periods and severance payments, please contact Vancouver-based Clear HR Consulting for human resources expertise.

Cissy Pau, Principal Consultant of Clear HR Consulting, recently led a webinar hosted by the BCIT Virtual Business Hub titled “Looking After Your Workforce During Stressful Times” where she discussed:

• Common mistakes employers make when times are tough
• 5 strategies to effectively manage employees during stressful times
• 5 alternatives to employee layoffs

If you would like Cissy Pau to present the “Looking After Your Workforce During Stressful Times” workshop at your next conference, trade show or association meeting, please contact us for more information or to make a booking.