No severance because of job offer

The company I worked for was sold. I was on a list of transferred employees and offered a job. The offer said comparable employeement and benefits. They were not comparable the benefits were HMO and I had POS and no retirement. I was told to sign within one day or be out of a job and no severance either way. I signed under duress and noted that, but then came in the following Monday and declined the offer. I was told that the HR of the corporate office said if they could replace me on the list I would be entitled to my severance. But then he changed his mind. People in the plant who declined the offer well be receiving their severance. Am I entitled also?

1 answer  |  asked Aug 4, 2002 10:53 PM [EST]  |  applies to Illinois

Answers (1)

Aaron Maduff
No severance because of job offer

As a general rule, employment in Illinois is "at-will". This means that you can be fired at any time without a reason. There is no requirement that they offer you severance -- although they usually get you to waive various rights if they do. So as a legal matter, they can do it. HOWEVER, this is the kind of case that a lawyer will often negotiate with the employer. We as well as other attorneys would contact the employer and try to work out a resolution. In these kinds of cases, employers are generally not looking to make someone's liffe difficult, but rather to maintain some kind of process and incentive for people to do what they want. I would hope that the result would be that they would provide you with the severance or some similar compensation.
Aaron Maduff

posted by Aaron Maduff  |  Aug 5, 2002 09:58 AM [EST]

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