Breaking the Bad News....

[somarco]

There is not a lot he can do to interfere with your business.

I take it you have not been through a legal fight with a former employer before.

That could be an issue in some states but should not be in GA.

Wrong again.

Tell them good luck enforcing a non compete.

Going to differ here, Joe. Throwing down the gauntlet is not a good idea.

Even if they don't have a strong case, they probably have deeper pockets than you and can run you around in circles when you need to be focused on building rather than addressing discovery motions.

The noncompete is only on the book of business

That won't stop them.

When you leave if their business drops off the books they will just ASSUME it is because of you, file suit, then start the discovery process.

Been there.

 

[Crabcake Johnny]

When I left UGA is was going to get legal. I met with the DOI and their attorney gave me the go-ahead on their end to contact my Mega clients, let them know exactly what they had purchased (I had told them it was a group plan) and they would basically ignore any request from Mega to removed my licensed for churning.

I did indeed contact my clients, Mega hit the DOI for removal of my license. They also hit me with papers threatening to sue.

The letter was similar to this - same firm:http://www.steveshorr.com/PDF_s/nase_attorney_letter.pdf

Basically, this is the warning shot over the bough. I met with an attorney who gave me the classic Danny Devito line: "there's no winning, just degrees of losing."

What do I "win" if I let UGA sue me? After a 2 year trial and $60,000 in attorney fees "maybe" I win the case and UGA has to pay my feees? Ok - then they appeal.

Even though I was right, I backed off. Even if I were to win and get my attorney fees compensated I'd never get my time spent back.

 

[retread]

My new independent agency will be ready for operation next week and I am going to have to break the news to my current "captive" employer. I would usually offer a two week notice, but I am sure the agency owner will not accept this curtesy.

I think two weeks notice is for those going from one employer to another in the corporate world. It is expected, but not required. If you are not hiring yourself out from one agency to another, I wouldn't consider it due to the repercussions you will face. You should listen to the advice in the replys before mine.... they know of what they speak. Almost everyone has been burned by giving "two weeks notice", especially if there are outstanding commissiions to be paid. You can kiss them goodbye.

 

[Guest]

I gave SIX MONTHS notice to a band I was in years ago. But that's different. Guess it's hard to replace good talent.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

What do I "win" if I let UGA sue me? After a 2 year trial and $60,000 in attorney fees "maybe" I win the case and UGA has to pay my feees? Ok - then they appeal.

Speaking of UGA, I heard a commercial on the radio, in my own home town now, the other day while eating lunch, and at the end they mentioned MEGA and I almost lost my lunch, and here I find out that there could be some small statistical chance that they could have used some of JP's old MEGA money to air it.

 

[chp]

Before I left the corporate word into insurance, I worked for a start-up software company in N. VA. It was not a dot com company, just a very well funded software company. 9/11 hurt our clients, and our angel money started to dry up. I had to lay off half of my team on a Monday, it was one of the hardest things I have ever done. I worked my ass off recruiting some of these people, promising them the world.

About a month later, I was told to lay off the remainder of my team. I was told, dont worry, you are a core employee, and you are too valuable to be let go. At the time I was only 29 and letting people go who had large families, twice my age was very hard.

I remember calling my wife and telling her I just let the rest of my team go, many who had become good friends of ours. I told her, dont worry, I am safe. I am a "core employee".

10 minutes after I met with my team in the conference room, and worked with the HR lady to send them on their way, I was told to meet with the CEO. 15 minutes later I was packing my crap, with security watching me. I felt so used, I could not even hear the CEO talk to me.

I called my wife from my car, telling her, guess what! I am coming home early.

I will NEVER work for a corporate company again. The lies, the broken promises, the behind the scenes crap. Never again!!

 

[Crabcake Johnny]

There are countless examples of people who in good faith give their notice. More often then not they are told to pack up and leave.

Companies nowadays are worried that:

1) You'll go postal
2) You'll steal company secrets/clients
3) You'll be a bad influence on remaining employees
4) You'll attempt to recruit other employees to leave

By the way, as a regional manager I used to get references from former employers. 99% of the time companies will not give any type of reference. They refer you to the HR department who will tell you:

1) Date hired
2) Date terminated
3) Job responsibilities

That's about it. So if you're worried that if you don't give proper notice the company will give you a bad reference that's not realistic. Not a single company will get into the reason for termination.

 

[arnguy]

What do I "win" if I let UGA sue me? After a 2 year trial and $60,000 in attorney fees "maybe" I win the case and UGA has to pay my feees? Ok - then they appeal.

Even though I was right, I backed off. Even if I were to win and get my attorney fees compensated I'd never get my time spent back.

Geez, John, if only you had known our friend "Pre-Paid Legal," who has not been heard from in a while, back then. He would have sent them a scarry (sic) letter.

 

[Pre-Paid Legal]

Geez, John, if only you had known our friend "Pre-Paid Legal," who has not been heard from in a while, back then. He would have sent them a scarry (sic) letter.

Been busy helping my clinets take care of thier Legal need's.
Like how PPL helped her.

Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc.


Dear [Provider Firm] and Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc.,

I cannot express enough appreciation and the feeling of empowerment provided by your work. I had some vacation time on the books with a previous employer who refused to pay me after I had my separation. One letter written by [Provider Attorney] put a check in my hands. I did not have to wait for the payroll cycle to receive this check either – it was handwritten. Without the awesome service that all of you provide I would have felt powerless and would not have even put up a fight.

Sincerest of thanks,

S. Lay

 

[Winter_123]

There are countless examples of people who in good faith give their notice. More often then not they are told to pack up and leave.

Companies nowadays are worried that:

1) You'll go postal
2) You'll steal company secrets/clients
3) You'll be a bad influence on remaining employees
4) You'll attempt to recruit other employees to leave

By the way, as a regional manager I used to get references from former employers. 99% of the time companies will not give any type of reference. They refer you to the HR department who will tell you:

1) Date hired
2) Date terminated
3) Job responsibilities

That's about it. So if you're worried that if you don't give proper notice the company will give you a bad reference that's not realistic. Not a single company will get into the reason for termination.

A very good friend of mine worked for the marketing wing of a large chain of "behavioral health" treatment centers. She knew they were getting ready to can her along with several others and she also knew that if she resigned they would walk her to the door immediately because that is the modern way. Corporations do not want loose cannons hanging around.

So she quit but gave them six weeks notice. Then they told her to get her stuff and get out. But they paid her for the full six weeks because they didnt want the legal hassles of having demonstrate why they did or did not fire her. hehehe.

Fast forward. She owns a large chain of home care agencies in three states now. She is making over four million a year. And I do understand the difference between gross and net and we are talking net and I do know first hand what her books look like.

 

[retread]

A very good friend of mine worked for the marketing wing of a large chain of "behavioral health" treatment centers. She knew they were getting ready to can her along with several others and she also knew that if she resigned they would walk her to the door immediately because that is the modern way. Corporations do not want loose cannons hanging around.

So she quit but gave them six weeks notice. Then they told her to get her stuff and get out. But they paid her for the full six weeks because they didnt want the legal hassles of having demonstrate why they did or did not fire her. hehehe.

Fast forward. She owns a large chain of home care agencies in three states now. She is making over four million a year. And I do understand the difference between gross and net and we are talking net and I do know first hand what her books look like.

That might work on a salary, but certainly not on straight commission!!!