Legal Question in Employment Law in Colorado

Severance agreement and release of all claims

I was layed off my job of 5 years with the company stating that it was due to down sizing. I believe they layed me off because they have reason to believe that I have good reason to file a harassement and or sexual harassement claim as well as a claim for their paying me incorrectly for a person who works two separate jobs for one company. I believe I have evidence of harassement by not only myself but other employees who actually ended up quiting their jobs because of it. One employee abandoned her job and wrote a letter to the company telling them about harassement of herself and mentioned numerous things about what she felt was harassement of me. I have e-mails to and from myself, co-employees, my supervisor as well as human resources which I believe support my belief in the fact that I was wrongly treated on numerous occasions. Where do I find out if I even have a claim and/or what to do about it? Despite the harassement and increasing incidents of mistreatment by my supervisor, I decided to ignore it in order to continue working at a job I truly loved, was very good at and so desparately needed. The medical benefits were so important as I have a child who takes daily life support medications. Where do I turn?

Thankyou


Asked on 8/28/05, 3:32 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Ellen Buckley Law Office of Ellen Buckley

Re: Severance agreement and release of all claims

If the company truly is downsizing, that can make it more difficult, although not impossible, to prove the reason you were let go was for a prohibited reason. Even if the layoff was legitimate, you may still have claims against the employer. You should discuss your case with an employment law attorney before signing any proposed release.

If you choose not to sign a release, to preserve your rights you must file a charge of discrimination with either the Colorado Civil Rights Division or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. There are time limits on filing a charge so you shouldn't delay.

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Answered on 9/08/05, 6:22 pm


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