DON’T AGREE TO ANYTHING BEFORE READING BELOW
Here are the top 5 things to think about before you sign a forced resignation:
- Are you being offered anything? If you aren’t being offered severance or something of value in exchange for the resignation, why resign? Let them fire you so you’ll at least get unemployment.
- Did you complain about discriminatory harassment? If you haven’t followed the company’s policy on reporting race, age, sex, religious, national origin, disability, or other harassment, best do so before you leave. Otherwise, you might give up your right to sue for any illegal discrimination.
- Are you signing away rights? If they want you to sign something right away, don’t do it. You aren’t thinking straight. Ask to take it so you can review it. If they demand that you sign on the spot, it’s a red flag. You might be agreeing not to work for a competitor for a year or two, releasing claims for discrimination or whistleblowing, or giving up important legal rights.
- Will you get unemployment? By resigning, you may give up your right to recover unemployment compensation benefits.
- Who do you think you’re fooling? Unless you negotiate for a written commitment from the employer about what they will say about you in references, they may well say you were fired or that you’re ineligible for rehire even if you quit.
If you do have claims like discrimination, illegal harassment, unpaid overtime or other potential claims against your employer, you may have leverage to negotiate a decent severance package. Don’t panic and sign your rights away.
