Legal Question in Employment Law in California
severance package
I was recently terminated without an explanation. The boss scheduled a meeting for 5:30pm a day before the Thanksgiving break. He told me they had to let me go, presented me with papers to sign, told me to hand over my keys, gather my belongings and pressured me to hurry. I just emailed HR & my boss about my eligibility for severance and also a holiday bonus. My boss implied in his response that I forfeited receiving a more generous compensation package by signing the papers. What are my rights? What are my next steps?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: severance package
If you are entitled to a severance package (i.e. pursuant to an employment agreement) and you were convinced to sign papers through fraud, or misrepresentation, which changed the terms, you may have a claim for fraud against your Employer. However, I need to know more specific facts. Also, any and all bonuses already earned must be paid. So you may have a wage claim, depending on the facts of your case.