Can I actually negotiate a severance package, or is it take-it-or-leave-it?

Got offered severance after a layoff. Is that number actually negotiable or is pushing back going to backfire?

Severance is often more negotiable than people assume, especially if you have leverage like a long tenure, a role where a lawsuit risk exists (discrimination, retaliation concerns), or the fact that many companies would rather avoid delay and friction during a layoff. It's reasonable to ask for more time to review the offer, ask for clarification of the terms, or push back on specific pieces — more weeks of pay, extended health insurance coverage, a more neutral reference agreement, or removing/narrowing an overly broad non-compete. That said, it's not guaranteed to work and pushing too aggressively without any real leverage can sometimes just extend an unpleasant process without changing the outcome. Severance agreements are legal contracts and typically include you waiving your right to sue the company — for a significant severance amount, it's genuinely worth a short paid consultation with an employment attorney before you sign, rather than negotiating on your own with no idea what you're giving up.