a golden handshake

golden handshake

A large severance package given to an executive who leaves a company due to termination, corporate restructuring, or retirement. The company's vice president received a $500,000 golden handshake after being pressured to leave his position.
See also: golden, handshake
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

a golden handshake

1. A golden handshake is a large amount of money that someone is given if they are asked to leave a job before the normal age when they would leave. She offered me a golden handshake to get me to leave quietly, which I did.
2. A golden handshake is a large amount of money that a company gives to an employee when he or she leaves, as a reward for long service or good work. The officer retired with a golden handshake and a pension.
See also: golden, handshake
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

a golden handshake

a sum of money paid by an employer to a retiring or redundant employee.
On the same principle, the phrase a golden hello was coined in the late 20th century. It is explained in an Appointments section of the New Scientist in 1998 : ‘Employers…especially in the financial sector, are offering “golden hellos”. These are advances of up to £2000, sometimes given on acceptance of a job offer or with the first month's salary.’
See also: golden, handshake
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

a golden ˈhandshake

a large sum of money given to somebody when they leave their job, or to persuade them to leave their job: The directors will each get a large golden handshake and a pension.
See also: golden, handshake
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • golden handshake
  • handshake
  • parachute
  • golden parachute
  • be hard done-by
  • be/feel hard done by
  • elephant ear
  • feel hard done-by
  • hard done by
  • hard done-by
References in periodicals archive
PESHAWAR -- The board of directors of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Economic Zones Development and Management Company (EZDMC) has directed one of its committees to examine the cases of more than 160 employees likely to be laid off through a golden handshake.
EZDMC to offer golden handshake to over 160 employees
There will be an option for the employees at the commission to receive a golden handshake while others would be added to a surplus pool.
KP govt to take control of Ehtesab Commission
More than 500 former government employees persuaded into retirement with a promise of a golden handshake and other retirement benefits will know their fate on April 9.
Retired employees seek compensation
I EXPECT like myself, many readers would be surprised to find that NHS employees have been entitled to a golden handshake on retirement, albeit as Ray Irwin states "nothing substantial" - pounds 10 for every year of service and pounds 150 for food for a celebration.
Who pays for 'handshake'? Yousay IN YOUR OPINION..
Collateral damage by the US drones is one thing, that with time could be forgiven, but this blasphemous act is not a speed bump that can disappear with good conscience and a golden handshake.
Delusional notion
A DAA spokesman said Mr Collier, whose total earnings for last year reached EUR612,500, will not be given a golden handshake.
City airport boss resigns; TRANSPORT
Comment OF THE DAY I AM appalled that former transport minister Stewart Stevenson has been given a golden handshake of pounds 7000.
MSP's pay-off is a disgrace; Yourview
Sheikh said those working in these ministries will be offered options of a golden handshake, transfer and deputation.
Provinces to get five ministries next week: Sheikh
Members of the Communication Workers Union held a rally in Manchester which heard demands that Royal Mail chairman Allan Leighton should not receive a golden handshake when he steps down next March.
Workers demo
As a result, he resigned to limit damage to BP and forfeited pounds 15m in shares and a golden handshake. What will BP do with this windfall?
THE former head of BP
Traditionally, a golden handshake, compensation payment, or lump-sum in lieu of notice has been free of tax, provided the amount is less than pounds 30,000.
Taxman has eye on golden payments
After an initial flurry of projects--including a golden handshake commission at Hopkins' offices in Marylebone--Snell Associates has been relatively quiet.
New order
A golden handshake of pounds 272,000 makes Neil Kinnock A FAT CAT and beneficiary of the EU subsidy system.
Inequality rules
At least they're being moved with a golden handshake, with the option of later moving back into the area.
text line
For too long, failure has been seen as a way to a golden handshake and a nice little pension.
Sports Letter: Divisive