Legal Question in Employment Law in Florida
The person who hired me knew about a major merge in the industry
I was offered a new position in a different company and in a different state. They offered me half of my relocation expenses, better salary, and job security. I quit my former job and moved 1600 miles away to where the new job is located. 5 days later the company announces a major merge. The merger was being worked out for about 15 months before I was hire. And now I am going to be layoff.
The Vice President and General Manager who hired me was involved in the merge process, he knew about the office being shutdown in a couple of moths after the merge. He still hired me and asked me to give up my former job and move my family to another State.
Could I sue him and the company?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: The person who hired me knew about a major merge in the industry
There is at least one case which has recognized that if an employer induces someone to quit there job and work for them, knowing that they will eliminate the new job there is a cause of action for fraudulent inducement. I litigated a case on this theory several years ago. The key is proving that the employer knew or should have known when they hired you that your job would be eliminated, but induced you to quit your old job anyway.
Re: The person who hired me knew about a major merge in the industry
Under Florida law, you cannot sue your employer under these circumstances. However, depending on the state's law to which you moved, you may have better rights there. Please advise as to what State you moved to.