Understanding the Implications of Being a “Part-Time” Severed Employee in Severance Agreements

Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Severance season 1!

Severance presents a unique exploration of dual consciousness through its intriguing narrative about “innies” and “outies.” The concept of part-time severed employees introduces an unconventional twist to this already complex world, challenging the perception of how Lumon’s severing process functions. Employees experience a split in their personas, with innies embodying their actions and thoughts while at work, and outies representing their existence outside of the workplace. However, the potential existence of part-time severed employees raises questions about the continuity of this severing phenomenon.

As the second season of Severance arrives after nearly three years since the first season ended, anticipation is high. The explosive conclusion of season 1 revealed a shocking connection: Mark’s innie discovers that his outie is married to a colleague he knows as Ms. Casey. This revelation has led to a whirlwind of queries, setting the stage for season 2 to delve deeper into the implications of such revelations.

Understanding Part-Time Severed Employees: A Unique Case

The Uncertain Existence of Their Outies

In season 1, the character Ms. Casey introduces an intriguing concept of being a part-time innie. Her testimony reveals that she has remained “awake”for only about 1,000 hours and that her innie persona activates solely during Lumon’s 30-minute wellness sessions. After these brief periods, her innie seems to deactivate—a stark contrast to how the other severed employees operate, who remain conscious throughout their workday.

Typically, severed individuals transition between their innie and outie selves when they access the elevator that leads to the severed floor. This standard rule does not apply to Ms. Casey, prompting questions regarding the whereabouts and state of being for her outie during her inactive periods.