My employer has offered me 2.5 weeks of severance pay if I sign a release form. I never thought I would sue for anything, but this makes me wonder if there is something I am missing. I didn't get severance when I was laid off in 2001, so I don't know what to do. I could use the money.
2006-10-26 10:35:54 · 8 answers · asked by Todd L 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Call an attorney
2006-10-26 10:37:59 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The release is a standard format for the employer to guarantee that you don't sue them for their releasing you. It is common practice. If there is controversy surrounding your release, there may be a reason for you to not sign, but my guess is that they just want to cover any possibility to prevent any legal action. You know there are a lot of people out there that will bring a nuisance suit just to see what they can get. You do not appear to be one of those. If you do sue, the lawyers get it all anyway. Go ahead and sign and get your money - not too many companies give severance.
2006-10-26 10:45:52 · answer #2 · answered by Doug R 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Apparently someone is suing them because they are wanting you to sign a release form. Either they already got served with papers, or their talk that a group is forming to sue them. If you sign the release form and are able to get more money later on, you'll be excluded from the case because you signed a form releasing them from doing any wrong towards you. It's up to you.
2006-10-26 10:44:59 · answer #3 · answered by Juniper 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do a web search on your old firm. See if there is some suit regarding firing practices.
Could the release affect rights to something created while you worked there?
Get the paperwork to a good attorney, and be ready to negotiate or sue to your best advantage.
2006-10-26 10:47:34 · answer #4 · answered by novangelis 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some employers do that to everyone. Read the release carefully and check to see how that may affect unemployment pay.
2006-10-26 10:58:45 · answer #5 · answered by Phoenix, Wise Guru 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
GEE I WOULDN'T SIGN ANYTHING WITHOUT FULLY UNDERSTANDING IT. I KNOW WHEN I WAS LEAVING A JOB AT A HOSPITAL, THEY WANTED ME TO SIGN SOMETHING STATING I WAS INCOMPETANT IN MY JOB. YET MY JOB REVIEW LESS THAN A MONTH BEFORE AND ALL OTHERS WHERE GOOD. THEY JUST HIRED A NEW THERAPIST OVER ME AND SHE WANTED HER BOYFRIEND TO COME WORK THERE AND WELL I WAS IN HIS WAY. I HAD BEEN THERE 5 YRS WITH NO BAD REPORTS. I GOT MY SEVERANCE AND COLLECTED UNEMPLOYEEMENT AND NEVER SIGNED PAPERS FOR THEM.
2006-10-26 10:47:11 · answer #6 · answered by baptism_by_fire_2000 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why did they let you go?
If you dont' think there is any reason you'd have a chance to sue them- go ahead and sign.
Some companies do this as SOP.
2006-10-26 10:37:46 · answer #7 · answered by Mommyk232 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you don't know what you are missing then it doesn't matter. I would sign it.
2006-10-26 10:38:09 · answer #8 · answered by bride2be091507 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋