21.   At other companies, investors have introduced resolutions asking companies to change their severance packages for executives or otherwise rein in pay.

22.   At the same time, Jay should have HR develop severance packages for Annette and Bob in case they are unable to bridge their differences.

23.   Before it starts laying off more employees next month, Merrill Lynch will offer them the chance to volunteer to resign and receive a severance package.

24.   BellSouth hopes to do the bulk of the job cuts without layoffs by encouraging either early retirement or voluntary departure in exchange for a severance package.

25.   Besides, he adds, most of those who have left received generous severance packages and found new jobs within the expanding media and entertainment industries.

26.   Boards also grant rich severance packages to help assuage the guilt they feel in making a bad decision in the first place.

27.   Bockrath, who could not be reached for comment, has been in negotiations with university president Andrew Sorensen over his severance package.

28.   Boeing officials are still debating whether to offer severance packages or other early retirement options -- something the company has rarely done in the past.

29.   Bradlees said it has won court approval for a partial severance package for employees.

30.   Branson declined to reveal the value of the severance package.