Legal Question in Employment Law in California

I worked for a big communication company for 15 years and was forced to quit recently. I am now being asked to sign a claim release agreement in exchange for one month health insurance. Before I sign it, I want to find out if I have any basis to file a claim against the company (I think the manager I worked for tries to get rid of long time employees without having to pay for the severance package)

1. The company laid off workers a few months back. One of the co-workers laid off was in the middle of an active project. I, on the other hand, just finished a big project and had nothing to do. I was asked to learn everything from scratch to take over his job. The co-worker was at the same technical level as me but only worked for two years at the company. -- A big puzzle why he, instead of I, got the layoff considering I was the one without active projects at the time.

2. Shortly after that, another co-worker who worked there for more than 12 years was fired due to so-called "performance issues"

3. Throughout the new project, my manager has been very un-supportive and nitpicking everything I have done. Denying every vacation request and criticizing every sick time appointment from me. Demanding daily reports on everything at certain times of the day and documenting for not performing if reports were late for 10 or 30 minutes. The working environment became very hostile.

4. Regardless, I still managed to finished the project successfully. My manager then demanded I change my schedule (I was on a flexible schedule for many years) and put a deadline to comply or "my performance will be impacted".

5. I knew if I stick around that eventually I would be fired due to "performance" reasons. I was under tremendous stress and had no choice but to quit my job.

I have a deadline to sign this release form and would appreciate quick replies.

Thanks


Asked on 9/04/09, 2:32 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Terry A. Nelson Nelson & Lawless

If you want to consult and have the agreement reviewed and explained, feel free to contact me to set it up.

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Answered on 9/07/09, 2:23 pm


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