As a company you always have to temper playing the long term game vs the short term game. The temptation will always to play the short game, so you will probabl

As a company you always have to temper playing the long term game vs the short term game. The temptation will always to play the short game, so you will probably want to over-emphasize the long term game. If you have $15k left - and that employee needs $15k in severance - it may be a good idea to explain to them that you really want to help them out but cant. If you are still at $1M and the employee needs $15k in severance - then that it is obvious that you should give it to them. Anywhere in between - use your gut, but lean on the long term game.