On Monday, 3/12, via email I received an involuntary termination letter effective the previous Friday 3/09. I refuse to sign the letter and they will not pay what is owed to me until I sign it. Isn't this tactic illegal?

On Monday, 3/12, via email I received an involuntary termination letter effective the previous Friday 3/09. I refuse to sign the letter and they will not pay what is owed to me until I sign it. Isn't this tactic illegal?

I would call your states Department of Labor, I do not think this is legal? Could it be that if you sign it, it would be harder for you to get unemployment? Let me know what the D.O.L says!!

It's the Attorney General's office in this state.

If you were discharged, your final pay was due immediately. They cannot hold your paycheck hostage for failure to sign a letter. Having said that, though, what does the letter say and does it state you are admitting something if you sign it?

The termination letter states all the legal stuff. Termination date, salary paid through March 9, medical coverage till 3/31, COBRA.

Also mentions Company secrets, waive all claims against Company (if applicable), unemployment

Just basic stuff.

Came from left field and I am listed as a co-founder. Basically they wanted me out of the picture.

It's the Attorney General's office in this state.

Thanks CBG, another lesson learned!

The termination letter states all the legal stuff. Termination date, salary paid through March 9, medical coverage till 3/31, COBRA.

Also mentions Company secrets, waive all claims against Company (if applicable), unemployment

Just basic stuff.

Came from left field and I am listed as a co-founder. Basically they wanted me out of the picture.

Do you have your final paycheck? As I previously stated, it cannot be held and legally, it's already late.

Aside from that, I recommend running it by an attorney relative to the "waive all claims" statement. I would note that any clause that would require you to waive your rights to unemployment benefits, for example, would not be enforceable.

The termination letter states all the legal stuff. Termination date, salary paid through March 9, medical coverage till 3/31, COBRA.

Also mentions Company secrets, waive all claims against Company (if applicable), unemployment
Just basic stuff.

Came from left field and I am listed as a co-founder. Basically they wanted me out of the picture.

WOW! don't even think of signing their trying to a rope a dope you.
JoeC

WOW! don't even think of signing their trying to a rope a dope you.
JoeC

Which is why I advised she seek the advice of an attorney. I already stated that such a clause relative to unemployment benefits, just as an example, would be unenforceable.

Well received the termination letter today via certified mail. Just the letter..

no pay.

File the claim for unpaid wages with the Attorney General's office.
http://www.ago.state.ma.us/sp.cfm?pageid=1129

And include any earned but unused vacation time, which must be paid out under state law.

Note: You are only due what vacation you have on the books as of today; not what you would have earned for the remainer of the year, even if your paystub shows the whole amount.