Q & A Table of Contents
They Told Me Not To Worry, But I Should Have
From: Molly, Charlotte, North Carolina
Question: I was brought to Charlotte, NC to do a job for a new company. The verbal agreement was for 5 years and my employment was renewable for 5 more years.
The company was negotiating a sale of the itself 2 years before my 5 years were complete. They sold the company as I was completing 5 years and 2 and 1/2 months.
I had asked my immediate boss several times: Do I have to look for another job? Each time he assured me that I and the company was not going anywhere (nothing to worry about). At no time did they tell me they were arranging a sale.
Now they want to end my employment with 10 weeks pay and my bonus as severance. But I must sign a statement that I will not sue to get it.
What rights do I have with their false leading statements to me? I would not have gone into debt like I had if I would have known I would be out a job.
Response: It sounds as if there are a bunch of legal issues involved in the ending of your employment with your current employer. You would probably be wise to check with an attorney who is specialized in employment law.
My personal take on the story as you tell it is that everything was verbal. Without written contracts you have a very low level of protection in the circumstance you describe. Clearly the fact that they want you to sign a document now underscores how important it is to have all agreements in writing.
Good luck in what is likely to be a tough situation.
Steve
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