I have currently been working for the employer that I will be leaving soon for about a year and a half. The industry I am requires certain license requirements to perform the job I do in certain states (as I handle more than one state, and am licensed in the state of question). The test to obtain the license is rather difficult, and I am one of two employees that had their license. Throughout my employment I have had conflicts with management allowing other employees to perform the duties that require licenses, when these employee's are not licensed themselves (all of which I have saved copies of my emails, etc). At one point, I was even asked to allow an employee to do their job and put my name on their work to appear as if they were licensed (which is illegal). I finally gave up trying to fix the issue, and in fear of actually having the state revoke my license, found a new job. The new job pays a little more, however, the benefits aren’t the same though (they won't pay for my post grad education which I am currently working on for the first year I am with them). While this is one issue, the second is I no longer get my bonus because I will not be employed at the time it is given out. I know this doesn't break any contracts (as the bonus language states you have to be in good standing with the company at the time it is paid) but is there a civil angle I could take on this (I damaged by not getting a bonus because I had to leave the company)? I was thinking along the lines of I was forced to resign because of the fear of having my license revoked, along with just the plain hostility I received every time I told them they were doing something wrong for the basis of a civil suit. I am (or was before my two weeks notice was given) in good standing employment wise, and have never been under corrective action. I was thinking of approaching them with this and just request they pay my bonus, and show them copies of all the documented times they violated the law, but I'm not sure if this would be considered black mail. What are your thoughts?

I think it would be considered extortion. They may give you the bonus anyway (unlikely). Don't know about civil case.
one for the lawyers.