Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Step1
Understand the law. There is nothing in the law that says an employer must offer severance pay to employees who they lay off or fire. It is entirely up to the employer.
Step2
Note that severance pay is often a bribe by your employer to buy your rights. If you think the company is letting you go unfairly, don't sign a severance pay agreement. This will interfere with your rights later.
Step3
Consult an attorney. It's good practice not to sign any agreement without consulting an attorney, but in this case, it's the thing to do since you may not realize what you're signing away until it's too late.
Step4
Check all the paperwork you signed at hiring to see if there is a severance pay agreement that you and your employer signed. If there is then you are entitled to severance pay.
Step5
Collect severance pay--if this is a mass layoff and others are collecting severance pay, be sure you get it as well.