The above is a composite picture and the overall results follow. Breakdowns by company size and industry are available from Lee Hecht Harrison. One-fifth of those who do not, plan to develop one in the next 12 months. Generally, if an organization has a written policy, it is published and made available for all employees to see. Just over a quarter of respondents say they have a process by which employees can appeal their severance benefits.
Most organizations make severance payments through either salary continuation or a lump sum.
Some allow employees to choose the method they prefer. Those that do grant extensions usually determine them through negotiations with their former employees. Notably about one-quarter base these extensions on the individual's job search effort. However many organizations base severance on more than a single factor, with years of service generally being one element in the formula. Notably, the higher the level of employee, the less likely it is that severance will be based on years of service only.