Understanding Severance Packages: What Clients Need to Know With the increasing likelihood of layoffs due to the predicted rise in the jobless rate to 7% this year, severance payouts may become more common. Clients need to know what constitutes a good severance package, when to reject an offer and negotiate, and how to adjust their financial plan. Julie Petrera, the senior strategist at Edward Jones in Toronto, says her firm is... (4 views)