The worst time to ask your partner for the location of the home fire extinguisher is when you need it. The best time to ask is when you don't need it immediately. That's the guiding principle behind the book Don’t Sign Anything: a guide for the day you’re laid off., by two experts on change management.

“Thanks, I’ll Get Back to You.”

The authors, Paul Levy, former CEO of a world-class teaching hospital and manager of the multi-billion dollar clean-up of Boston Harbor, and Farzana Mohamed, organizational consultant on change management and employee engagement, presume that one day you will be called into your boss' office, a human resources officer will be present, and the boss will begin by saying, “This is not going to be an easy meeting…”

At the conclusion, you will be given a termination agreement that is described as “generous” and “beyond standard corporate policy.” You may be asked to sign the agreement.

Levy and Mohamed advise you to respond, “Thanks, I’ll get back to you.”

BATNA: Know Yours and Theirs

The authors want you to know your BATNA—best alternative to a negotiated agreement. What are the risks and benefits if you refuse to sign the agreement? The idea is to........

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