theatreguy
Junior Member
What is the name of your state? New York
Hi All. I was recently terminated from a Musical Directing staff position (I would be in charge of teaching music to the cast, picking orchestra members, etc - and my boss would have final say over who was hired, I only made recomendations) I mention this because being a member of "Managment" came up in my termination.
I had a contract with the company which employed me and guaranteed me work for 9 months with 2 scheduled unpaid breaks in employment. If either party wanted to terminate the agreement the could do so by giving 28 days notice.
So far 5 paychecks have bounced out of 13 weeks of work---I know I'm stupid for staying but thats not the issue. The first time a check bounced I spoke with my boss and it was taken care of within a week and he asked me not to discuss that incident with anybody and i did not. Since then 4 checks have not cleared on their scheduled date and I mentioned this to an actor in the show to be careful - there was a banking issue but it was taken care of, and that he might want to wait till he comes back to cash it. My written contract never said I can't talk about anything like that with the cast, and my verbal agreement with my boss was only refering to the first time my check bounced, in my opinion. My boss found out about this and told me I was fired on the spot and I had to sign a termination letter for my own protection. After talking to other people I guess that I did not have to but I thought I did (I'm still relatively new to the business). In short it said at the end that if I were to discuss the situation with anybody that the theatre would sue me for Slander.
1) Can they do this?
2) Was I wrongfully terminated by not having 28 days notice?
3) Can I tell people about the experience I had here if I have the bank records to back it up.
4) Am I entitled to unemployment - the said they would contest it by saying i breached Managment confidentiality.
Any help would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks everyone.
Hi All. I was recently terminated from a Musical Directing staff position (I would be in charge of teaching music to the cast, picking orchestra members, etc - and my boss would have final say over who was hired, I only made recomendations) I mention this because being a member of "Managment" came up in my termination.
I had a contract with the company which employed me and guaranteed me work for 9 months with 2 scheduled unpaid breaks in employment. If either party wanted to terminate the agreement the could do so by giving 28 days notice.
So far 5 paychecks have bounced out of 13 weeks of work---I know I'm stupid for staying but thats not the issue. The first time a check bounced I spoke with my boss and it was taken care of within a week and he asked me not to discuss that incident with anybody and i did not. Since then 4 checks have not cleared on their scheduled date and I mentioned this to an actor in the show to be careful - there was a banking issue but it was taken care of, and that he might want to wait till he comes back to cash it. My written contract never said I can't talk about anything like that with the cast, and my verbal agreement with my boss was only refering to the first time my check bounced, in my opinion. My boss found out about this and told me I was fired on the spot and I had to sign a termination letter for my own protection. After talking to other people I guess that I did not have to but I thought I did (I'm still relatively new to the business). In short it said at the end that if I were to discuss the situation with anybody that the theatre would sue me for Slander.
1) Can they do this?
2) Was I wrongfully terminated by not having 28 days notice?
3) Can I tell people about the experience I had here if I have the bank records to back it up.
4) Am I entitled to unemployment - the said they would contest it by saying i breached Managment confidentiality.
Any help would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks everyone.
