My husband was recently fired from a very lucrative position based on a false allegation. Rather than investigate the allegation, the executive fired him, had him forcibly removed from his office, and removed him from the company website. That was Thursday.

The decision to fire my husband was made without any serious investigation, he was not given the opportunity to refute the charges. In a nutshell, he was accused of being an alcoholic and making sexually charged statements because his boss overheard from someone who heard from someone that he was out drinking with a male co-worker in a bar, and a joke was made that might or might not have offended a new employee who was or was not present when said joke was made.

Lo and behold, the allegations are now turning out to be false, and his company is back-tracking faster than a labrador with a fetched stick. Because they can't undo what they have done (fire him, humiliate him, etc.), they have instead agreed to allow him to "resign" as of Thursday and are discussing a "favorable" severance package.

I don't need to know whether he has valid claim, I can figure that one out on my own. What I need to know is what should we consider a "favorable" severance package.

We would obviously like to avoid any suit and would like to enter into a confidentiality agreement, which, given my husband's career and reputation, is worth more than a nationally publicized lawsuit (yes, if we were forced to sue, it would be reported). However, being as how neither of us have ever "resigned" in this fashion, we have no idea where to begin with negotiations. I know it is an open-ended question, but if anyone has negotiated a severance package either on behalf of someone or on your own behalf, any help would be greatly appreciated.

Goldie

How many years has he worked for the company? Was his position considered management? Upper, middle?

Could I pm you details?

If you need to

My husband was recently fired from a very lucrative position based on a false allegation. Rather than investigate the allegation, the executive fired him, had him forcibly removed from his office, and removed him from the company website. That was Thursday.

The decision to fire my husband was made without any serious investigation, he was not given the opportunity to refute the charges. In a nutshell, he was accused of being an alcoholic and making sexually charged statements because his boss overheard from someone who heard from someone that he was out drinking with a male co-worker in a bar, and a joke was made that might or might not have offended a new employee who was or was not present when said joke was made.

Lo and behold, the allegations are now turning out to be false, and his company is back-tracking faster than a labrador with a fetched stick. Because they can't undo what they have done (fire him, humiliate him, etc.), they have instead agreed to allow him to "resign" as of Thursday and are discussing a "favorable" severance package.

I don't need to know whether he has valid claim, I can figure that one out on my own. What I need to know is what should we consider a "favorable" severance package.

We would obviously like to avoid any suit and would like to enter into a confidentiality agreement, which, given my husband's career and reputation, is worth more than a nationally publicized lawsuit (yes, if we were forced to sue, it would be reported). However, being as how neither of us have ever "resigned" in this fashion, we have no idea where to begin with negotiations. I know it is an open-ended question, but if anyone has negotiated a severance package either on behalf of someone or on your own behalf, any help would be greatly appreciated.

Goldie
Unfortunately - companies can do whatever they like anymore. I would try to get all you can - but if the company is as big as you say - they will bury you in paper and legal fees of things that have nothing to do with anything and you will just have to protect yourself from what they will turn it into. I can say that a local bank got wind of something very similar and they came to this guys office door with security and within 15 minutes he was in his car with his personal blongings and paycheck with 2 weeks severance wondering what the heck was going on. Most likely they will pay off, but be careful .

Why would he not want his job back, and add to that a compensation package and a non disclosure agreement.
With the economy the way it is, and gosip the way it is, finding another job may not always be that easy.