severance pay

I was informed by verbal that I was laid off on Tuesday. They used "terminate the service". They said under the state law, they do not use "layoff" or "fire". and I do not have any wriiten termination latter. They said they chose not to pay 2 weeks severance pay, it is on their sole discrection, they do not need a reason for not paying that.

I just read the agreement that I signed when I joined the firm. It is some "confidentialy and unfair competition" stuff. One section on the agreement is Termination of employment, it is said" Either party, with or without cause, may terminate the employemnt realationship under this Agreement with 14 days written notice to the other party. In the event either Employee gives the Required Notice, or XXX (firm name) gives the Required Notice, but XXX (firm name) wishes to accelerate termination of Employee's employment, XXX may elect to so accelerate, in XXX's so discrection, and terminate Employee immediately; provided, however, XXX must in all events pay the Employee for the 14 days notice period".

This is the agreement that both I and partner signed. So I think I deserve this 2-week severance pay. Since they signed this agreement, it is illegal to not pay me. Shall I send them an email to tell them that we have signed the agreement and I will get legal assistence to enforce the agreement if I will not paid for these 2 weeks? This is 15 people small cheap work shop (architecture firm). I doublt they will pay me if I send this email. I think getting a lawyer evovled for this 2 weeks pay is not worth it. Shall I just let this go or do something? Thank you for any suggestion.

所有跟帖： 

• 书面质疑合同中的条款, 还有他们应该给你个书面材料证明 -stp- ♂ (42 bytes) () 04/13/2006 postreply 08:47:24

• 回复：书面质疑合同中的条款, 还有他们应该给你个书面材料证明 -thankyou73- ♀ (63 bytes) () 04/13/2006 postreply 10:11:49

• Use H1B visa? -thankyou73- ♀ (75 bytes) () 04/13/2006 postreply 12:19:53