Legal Question in Business Law in Ohio

Broken promises

I worked for a small company, for the

CEO. Most of our working relationship

was agreed to verbally, the only

contract I signed related to

proprietary

information/inventions.The CEO

made many promises verbally that

he broke. One of his promises was

that all computer equipment I

needed, was to be considered as a

form of pre-tax compensation, and

that it was mine to keep. We are now

in the early stages of a constructive

termination situation, and he is

asking me to send him all my

computer equipment. He was very

clear that the equipment was a

reward/compensation that was ''pre

tax'' / didn't impact my tax bracket.

What can I do?


Asked on 11/29/08, 12:38 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
J. Norman Stark J. Norman Stark , Attorney, Architect

Re: Broken promises

Dear Inquirer: Consult and retain an experienced Attorney to advise and assist you, ASAP.

Was there any other person who can corroborate or who witnessed your verbal agreements with your CEO as to your computer equipment? And, would that person be willing to sign an affidavit to that effect? If not, it's your CEO's word against yours, and unless you can show that the equipment was truly a "reward", or "pre-tax compensation", you'll need legal help.

Unfortunately, you've now learned an important business lesson - the varbal agreement in business isn't worth the paper its not written on!". Get it inwriting, and you best ally can be your Attorney, who'll draft a short form of letter agreement, which even most CEO's would sign. If not, start looking for anothr job! Good luck!

Sincerely, J. Norman Stark

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Answered on 11/29/08, 10:02 am


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