I am a female, over 40, vice president for a private owned company in California. I have recently interviewed for a position at a competitor. One of the interviewers happens to know an ex-employee of my current employer and contacted him, without my knowledge. This ex-employee then contacted the president of my company to alert him of my recent interview. The president called me, at home while I was off ill and asked me if I had been interviewing. I told him that I had talked to this company but had not been offered the job. Over the next couple of weeks he continued to ask me of my status. Each time, I advised him that I had not been offered the job. Over the Christmas holiday, he called me at home the night before we were scheduled to return to work and asked me to stay home and to attempt to solicit an offer from the other company. He informed me to stay home until I had an answer. I informed him that I still did not have an offer. He had me stay home (with pay) until this past Friday when he asked me to come in. When I returned to work, I found that my computer access had been disabled. I also learned that during my week of absence he spoke to my direct reports and informed them of my potential departure. In addition, he questioned my staff to determine if I had advised any of the company's clients of my intentions (which I have not). He also spoke to one of them about taking my position should I leave. I now feel undermined and a "lame duck" vp.

Coincidently, during this time another male employee (manager) tendered his resignation on December 18th, giving a 4 week notice. This employee has been allowed to remain at the office and has not had his authorities revoked. Nothing has been announced regarding his impending departure as the president wants to do it concurrently with my resignation.

I am planning on giving my notice as I have now been offered the job as of late Friday afternoon. I am giving 4 weeks notice.

Questions:

1. Have I been treated fairly by the president of the company? If not, what are my recourses?
2. If I give 4 weeks notice and the company asks me to leave early is this considered an involuntary discharge rather than a voluntary termination? What wages will I be entitled to?
3. Any suggestions on how to handle this situation in amiacably?

1. Whether or not you were treated fairly is not a legal issue. I don't see from your post that anything illegal occurred.

2. No, all it means it that they accepted your resignation immediately. You would probably qualify for UI benefits in California, however, after the initial one week waiting period.

3. The only advice I have there is to try not to burn any bridges.