Aufhebungsvertrag — read this before you sign

An Aufhebungsvertrag ends employment by agreement. It can block unemployment benefits if wording is wrong.

Sperrzeit risk

The Agentur für Arbeit may impose a blocking period if the agreement looks initiated by the employee without urgent reason.

Negotiate

Severance (Abfindung), reference wording, and release dates are negotiable. Do not sign under same-day pressure.

Upload your letter for a plain-English explanation

Open Briefed — explain my letter