Legal Question in Discrimination Law in Georgia

Can a private company terminate an employee age 58 with 25 years service with a excellent work record and glowing anual reviews and no reason given. The severance package offer is not good. The company says i have 21 days to sign or the package will be removed. Is that true? The Company is refusing to negotiate on the severance package and holding me hostage. I have no income or insurance until i sign the severance agreement.

Thanks for any assistance you can offer


Asked on 8/31/09, 1:23 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys

Scott Riddle Law Office of Scott B. Riddle, LLC

Absent a contract, employment in Georgia is "at will" and an employee can be terminated for any or no reason -- except for a very few exceptions for discrimination. There is no general right to employment. Since you mention age, if they terminated you because of your age, you could possibly have a claim but much more information is necessary. As for severance, you fail to mention a contract or employee policy that would entitle you to severance. Again, there is no general right to this. If they offer it, certainly they can dictate the terms.

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Answered on 9/05/09, 2:37 pm
Paula McGill Attorney at Law

You should visit an employment attorney to discuss your concerns about age discrimination and your severence package. Oftentimes, the severence package includes a waiver of all possible claims agaisnt the employer. Therefore, don't wait until after you sign the package to visit an attorney about a possible discrimination claim.

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Answered on 9/07/09, 1:36 am


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