We work for a company (myself for nearly 20 years) where we are commisioned sales reps (w/ a very low base salary and benes). Let's, for example, say that over the last decade I averaged 100k/year.

We have learned that our department is getting cut in July 07.

The company has a standard 1.5 wk/years worked severence package, which has been applied to every sales position that has been cut in years past.

The difference is this time, we have months before getting axed.

Word is, the company does not want to pay severence . To achieve this, they intend to stop all marketing and disrupt the normal sales we get each month. If they starve us enough, they expect we will take a lesser position within the company or will just quit, which means they do not have to award a sev package.

Yes, it's outrageous. But what are our options? They are eliminating our jobs, so we do not think we should be given anything less than the option: new job or severence.

Plus, what kind of laws protect someone who makes their living on commissions when the company just stops giving them the tools to earn a living?

Thanks. Anxious to hear your answers.

MA is one of the few states where severance is EVER required by law, but even in MA it is not required in all circumstances.

To determine if they are obligated under the law to provide severance, please give me an idea how many people in total are being cut, and if this is a part of a larger reorganization.

We have learned that our department is getting cut in July 07.

Cut as in completely eliminated or cut as in reduced some (or a lot)? If it is the former, the company's actions are certainly a sneaky way of trying to avoid severance. If the latter, the company has created a recipe for disaster as the best performers will be the first ones hired by other companies seeking capable sales staff, leaving the company with the less than stellar performers.

I imagine that it would be better, for the company's bottom line, to simply pay off the poorest performers and keep the best ones, but I have not seen the financials and can only guess at what they are doing.