Q: I quit job over harassment/illegal treatment is there a way to ask owner for severance w/o it being blackmail/extortion?
Been working at a place for over a decade. Many things have happened over that time, some addressed with management. Sexual harassment, threats of violence, refusal to pay overtime, sharing medical information with subordinates, firing other employees for refusing to work sick etc. The owner doesn't actually work at the job, but I'm friendly with him. He knows of past harassment by former managers.. I recently was forced to quit because I finally complained about a manager who has threatened me physically and called me a b&tch for wearing a N95 mask due to high risk health issues do to COVID19. I was told I was being too sensitive. 10+ years of this type of treatmen/talking to former employees who experienced similar I think I want to take legal action. I actually like the owner I think it might be best for all involved if he gave me a decent severance and we could avoid legal hassle. How can I approach him without if feeling (or legally being) blackmail and extortion? Is it possible?
A: You should speak with an employment lawyer in your area. He or she can review your situation and provide some guidance on the strength of any legal claims you might have, which will aid you (or the lawyer) in making a demand for severance.
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