CMAA Severance Checklist

Introduction: The following information is designed to be a reference document for your severance package negotiations. It includes general information regarding statistics and figures and other considerations when constructing your severance package.

Background/Fact & Figures: CMAA studies show that many of today’s general managers/COOs/CEOs have an employment contract. One of the benefits to having a formal employment agreement or contract is to clearly define the terms of employment and, as important, the terms of separation .

• 74 percent of CMAA members that have the title of CEO/COO have an employment contract and more than 60 percent of those are multi-year contracts.

• The average length of a multi-year contract is three years.

• 44 percent of CMAA members with the title of general manager have an employment contract .

• 27 percent of CMAA members with the title of manager have an employment contract .

• 35 percent of CMAA members with the title of clubhouse manager have an employment contract.

Ideally , a severance package is addressed during your pre-employment contract negotiations; however , often times managers find themselves having to negotiate these terms after being informed they are to be terminated. This guide will help you identify the items to include when constructing your severance package . It is strongly recommended that you include language in an employment agreement on the terms of separation prior to taking employment or accept - ing a promotion, but if you are unable to do that, consider proposing such language during an annual performance review. In the cases where there is not an employment contract and em - ployment is abruptly ended, this document can serve as a checklist of items to consider when coming to terms with your employer.

When starting this process, we encourage you to consult with legal counsel. Having an attor - ney review the terms of your agreement is the first step in ensuring that you are being treated fairly and that both your expectations and the club’s are understood from the outset.

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