Boss coaxed me into termination

[aimee678]

I had told my boss that I bought a house, which is about 40 miles away. I never once told him I was leaving.He took me to lunch one day and said he was getting pressure to let some people go in our dept. He said I brought you out to lunch (5/29) to see what your intentions are. I said I wasn't really planning on leaving the company. He said well I can help you get extra money and get you time to settle into your house. You can be the one I let go and I will pay you until after July 4th. I was rationalizing this out and finally I said ok. I had to pretend like the conversation never took place as he approached the president with this brainstorm. This was our little secret and he made me feel like he was doing me a favor. Well then the severance package dropped from 4 weeks to 2 weeks. Then I was reluctant to leave, but the wheels had already been turning and this plan was going effect and HR already knows that I am to be Terminated. A few days later it turned into a week severance pay instead of 2. I now feel like I was taken advantage of and coaxed into this agreement and its too late to get out. I also was not the last girl in the office hired, and the last girl who was hired after me is in a position lower than I am. What can I do?I have only about 10 days left. Do I have and grounds for legal action?

 

[buddy2bear]

Unfortunately, you didn't get it in writing. He "wined and dined" you and when you were "mellow," came up with his "favor" for you. He promised you something he obviously did not have the authority or power to. If he did not have the authority, he can not bind the company to an agreement.

Seniority doesn't count for "dit" unless you are a member of a union. Most of the time, the more senior you are, the more money you make, and the more chances you will be chosen for the downsizing, unless you are more valuable to your employer than someone else.