It’s a reference to monetary compensation often given to high level executives in large companies for when they leave for some reasons. Usually if the leaving is on a short short time frame as opposed to finding a new position they leave for voluntarily, although I don’t know that much about how they actually work.

Like the other reply said, it’s a bunch of money that high level execs are contractually guaranteed when they leave their job.

“So maybe stop doing that,” you say? I think these deals are in place before the person even starts work. It’s a part of the compensation package they are offered. It’s a recruiting tool, just like the overly high salaries and stock awards.