Me and my ex-husband run a company together, we were divorced back in March. Since then it has been uncomfortable, not because of the ex, its the boss, i was told that if i leave my ex will also get fired, We were forced to go to counciling, And we would not have minded, but this was a marriage counsler, so we went because were both afraid of loosing our job, was told if i wanted my job i had to go.I gave notice 3 weeks ago, and i dont think its right that if i quit, the ex goes to, he has medical problems and needs the medical coverage. I dont think we should be forced into counciling either, but we have to if we want our jobs. Any suggestions would help here.

It was not illegal to require you and your ex-husband to get some counseling (actually, it wasn't a bad idea on the part of the employer since the two of you needed to continue to work together) nor is it illegal for the employer to fire your ex if you decide to leave. Apparently he's only interested in employing the two of you as a team.

It may be unfair but it's not illegal. If you've definitely decided to go, then your ex needs to start looking for a new job.

In new jersey, it is illegal to discriminate in anything based upon marital status, including employment. I guess he could make a claim that he's being terminated based upon a change in marital status. I never pursued one of these, nor know anything about them. Usually, such a claim is used if a club refuses to allow single people in (such as country clubs), or if married people are exlcuded from some venue. I think some online dating service was sued by the State AG's office since they wouldn't allow married people to join the dating service. While it was immoral for married people to seek to commit adultry, it is not illegal. and some peple have "open" marriages. hell, some pople in the usa have multiple marriages. well, anyway, I think the ag's office was successful in their efforts to protect the right to cheat. silly, but I agreed with it since you can't discriminate, period, even if for someone's own good. isn't that what freedom's all about - make your own choices?

Anyway, I'm not sure there is a claim here, but it fits the basic definition - an act being taken based upon a change in marital circumstances. he might wanna run it by the nj division of civil rights. Of course, the employer could argue it didn't terminate him based on a change in marital status, but rather because you, as an employee (not wife), was no longer present. Still, with the boss's forcing you to marriage counselling, his argument might not fly.

well, look into it. if it goes anywhere, let us know for future reference.

curt j.