Severance Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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severance
[ˈsɛv(ə)rəns ]
Definitions
employment termination
The action of ending a connection or relationship, especially with regards to employment. It typically involves payment to an employee who is laid off or let go.
Synonyms
dismissal, separation, termination.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| severance |
Typically used in a formal business or legal context when discussing the compensation an employee receives when they are let go from a job.
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| separation |
A more neutral or formal term often used in HR contexts to describe the process of an employee leaving a company, whether voluntarily or involuntarily.
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| dismissal |
Usually used to indicate an employee being fired, often implying a negative reason such as poor performance or misconduct.
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| termination |
A formal and often legal term indicating the end of an employee’s job, can refer to both voluntary and involuntary cases.
|
Examples of usage
- Employees who are laid off may receive severance pay.
- She negotiated a generous severance package before leaving the company.
legal context
A separation or division, especially in a legal context such as property or estate.
Synonyms
division, partition, separation.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| severance |
Typically used in formal or professional situations to describe the end of a relationship or connection, particularly in the context of employment. It can also refer to the cutting or breaking of something physical.
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| division |
Commonly used to describe the process of dividing something into parts or sections. It can also refer to disagreements or splits within groups.
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| separation |
Used in a variety of contexts to describe the state of being apart or the process of moving apart. This can relate to physical distance, emotional detachment, or legal arrangements.
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| partition |
Generally used to describe the action of dividing something, especially a space, into separate parts. It often implies a physical barrier or a formal separation.
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Examples of usage
- The lawyer explained the severance of assets in the divorce proceedings.
- The judge ruled on the severance of the jointly owned property.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Legal Aspects
- In many countries, employees may receive a severance package when they are laid off, which can include pay and benefits.
- The specifics of severance can depend on employment contracts, company policy, and local labor laws.
- Severance agreements often require employees to sign non-disclosure or non-compete clauses.
Cultural Perspectives
- In some cultures, severance pay is seen as a sign of goodwill and respect from the employer.
- Attitudes towards severance can vary widely: in some countries, it's expected, while in others, it might be rare or minimal.
- The way severance is handled can impact public perception of a company, influencing its reputation.
Workplace Psychology
- Receiving severance can provide emotional relief, giving employees financial support while they transition to new jobs.
- The end of employment, even with severance, can trigger a range of emotions like anxiety or relief, depending on the circumstances.
- Outplacement services, often part of severance packages, aim to help former employees find new jobs and cope with the change.
Economic Factors
- Severance can play a role in the broader economy, as it affects unemployment rates and consumer spending.
- During economic downturns, some companies may offer enhanced severance to cushion the impact on laid-off workers.
- The trend of severance packages can reflect the financial health of a company, showing how they value their workforce.
Origin of 'severance'
Main points about word origin
- The term 'severance' comes from the Middle English word 'sever', which means to cut off.
- It has roots in the Latin 'separare', signifying a separation or division.
- The word evolved over centuries in English, reflecting changes in employment practices and legal terminology.
The word 'severance' traces its origins back to the Latin word 'severantia', which means 'a parting' or 'separation'. Over time, it evolved to encompass various contexts such as employment termination and legal divisions.