Remember when I blogged about my resignation from the Record Searchlight? Well, hang onto your Wranglers, I ain’t a former employee – yet.
In a bait-and-switch move, the Record Searchlight’s Workers’ Compensation carrier added a last-minute addendum to the settlement package – after we’d already hammered out and agreed to a sum and I promised not to sue for anything else besides the EEOC / DFEH sexual harassment and retaliation charge.
Keep in mind here that, for some 10 months, I’ve survived on $324 a week while the Record Searchlight, its insurance carrier and their respective attorneys strived to deny me Workers’ Compensation benefits. (Thank you, Govenator, for “fixing” that evil Workers’ Compensation system that was sapping the lifeblood out of California businesses, which were busy outsourcing American jobs.)
So what’s so important that the insurance company won’t settle – which has kept my resignation in limbo? They want a tally of how I spend the settlement. We’re not talking lotto here – it’s less than my yearly reporter’s wage of $28,000. But they want an accounting.
Stay with me for a moment, ladies and gentlemen. Say that, rather than sue an insurance company or driver over an auto accident, you agree to settle. Win-win, right? But now, suddenly, the fiscal nanny steps in and wants an accounting for. Or, say, you’ve divorced and are receiving monthly spousal or child support. Want to answer to that no-good so-and-so about how you spend your grocery money?
My attorney’s advice: No way. I agree. And now, two weeks later, I’m still, unofficially officially, a Record Searchlight employee since resignation was part of the package and that package got a post-agreement bait and switch.
Sigh. I’m feeling an Eagles “Hotel California” moment coming on. “You can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave…”
-Christy
Filed under: conversation, ethics | Tagged: bait and switch, Eagles, Hotel California, insurance, resignation, Workers' Compensation
Christy,
You hit a few of my pet pissers – Workmans Comp and WC Attorneys being at the top.
But now “accounting”?? I’d like a clear and thorough accounting from State Comp –
Where does the money go?
I pay 39% My friend with the same kind of business in Ohio pays 4%. That’s less than we pay for an office worker.
Go figure.
I hope it works out in your favor – You v. Them.