Offered a mutual separation scheme?
Your employer wants you to leave by agreement, and you want to check the terms.
A mutual separation scheme, shortened to MSS, is very close to a VSS. The difference is often only the name each employer gives its programme.
What it means
An MSS ends employment by agreement between you and your employer, usually with a payment attached. It is presented as both sides agreeing that the working relationship should end.
Like a VSS, it depends on real agreement. So ask yourself whether you are truly choosing this, or whether it feels like the only option left.
Why it matters to you
Signing an MSS agreement can close off other claims, including an unfair dismissal claim. That depends on how the agreement is worded and what you formally accept.
So the review step matters. A document signed quickly under pressure is harder to undo than one reviewed carefully first.
Is this the same as being let go
Your job ends either way, but the legal path differs. A genuine MSS is a negotiated exit, while an ordinary dismissal or retrenchment is decided by your employer alone.
If the pressure to sign felt heavy or rushed, read about mutual separation more broadly. Consider having the agreement reviewed before you commit to it in writing.
Ask for time to think it over. A fair offer should still stand after a short pause.
If you have been offered a mutual separation scheme and want a lawyer to act, an independent employment lawyer can assess your facts. They can tell you how they would act on it.
For people seeking legal representation. For general information, please use our guides and tools.
First contact: general facts only, such as date, location, employment status and a short summary. Keep documents private until an identified independent lawyer contacts you and specifically requests them.
Common questions
Is MSS worse for me than VSS?
Neither name means better or worse terms. What matters is the actual package, including the amount, the timing, and whether you truly had a free choice to decline.
Can I still claim unfair dismissal after signing an MSS agreement?
A properly signed separation agreement can limit later claims. That is why it is worth having the terms reviewed before you sign, not after.
Keep reading
If you have been offered a mutual separation scheme and want a lawyer to act, an independent employment lawyer can assess your facts. They can tell you how they would act on it.
For people seeking legal representation. For general information, please use our guides and tools.
First contact: general facts only, such as date, location, employment status and a short summary. Keep documents private until an identified independent lawyer contacts you and specifically requests them.