Most employees assume that it's their right to walk out and quit without notice if they can't take it anymore at a job, and in most cases they're right. However, in some cases employers do have the right to sue employees who quit without notice or who pursue certain job opportunities after leaving. Find out what actions could land you in hot water and what to do in case it ever happens to you.
Quitting Without Notification
The usual two weeks notice before quitting is usually more than enough to protect you from litigation because it gives the company time to hire and train a replacement. In most states, employees can quit at the drop of a hat without facing repercussions because they're considered "at-will" employees. Make sure you haven't signed a contract that waives those at-will rights and designates you as another type of employee. Changing your categorization could give the employer grounds to sue you for damages after leaving without proper notice.
Taking Information
Companies most commonly sue employees that quit for taking sensitive industry information with them, whether there's proof they are using it or not. Making the effort to disclose your departure and make an inventory of what information you know can make an employer feel a lot more secure about your decision to quit. The Human Resources department can work with you to ensure you're fulfilling all the requirements of your original contract in regards to timing and disclosure.
Violating Other Contract Details
Of course, you can't leave one company for a better offer from a competitor when you've signed a non-compete clause. If you're not careful in reading the contract you receive when first joining a company, you could end up agreeing not to work for competitors for up to a decade. This can greatly limit your career options, so avoid restrictive non-compete agreements unless you're willing to hire a lawyer when you quit.
Getting Help
When faced with a legal notice from a former employer, hire a general practice lawyer for immediate help. They can help you decide if the claim is even valid according to state law and contract stipulations. In complicated cases with iron-clad contract terms, they can also refer you to a specialist in employment contracts to round out their own skills. It's always helpful to involve more than one lawyer in a court case being brought against you by a large company with its own team of legal representatives. Visit websites like http://www.ourbendlawyer.com to contact a local lawyer.
Hello, I'm Christina Miller. Have you ever been fascinated with why the law works the way it does? Ever since I was in junior high, I had an intense interest in anything related to our legal system, whether it be a crime drama on television, a judge show or a legal case covered on the news. I followed it all. As time progressed, I began learning about how the actual legal system worked and not just the fictionalized version of our legal system. This has lead me to start writing my own blog posts about law that I hope will help others.