Thread regarding Fossil Inc. layoffs

Legal Stuff You sSould Keep in Mind

I just spoke with an attorney and wanted to pass along the comments. Please remember this was just a discussion and my write up is likely not as accurate as I hope it is. This is just food for thought, not solid legal advice.

Texas is a right to work state: neither is Fossil legally obligated to offer you any severance package, nor are they obligated to pay you for accrued, unused PTO. Be sure to ask for it.

First, these conversations with management are contract negotiations. Your old employment contract is being broken and a new termination contract is being created in its place. What Fossil wants to do is be completely rid of you and not have to worry you’ll come back at some future date with a law suit.

You cannot be compelled to sign anything “right now.” You must be given an opportunity to review all document with legal counsel. Expect the documents to be standard paper relinquishing your right to sue on the basis of age, racial, sexual, religious, or other discrimination.

Look out for any non-compete clauses that would limit your ability to look for and accept a new position.

The question of unemployment benefits eligibility if you decline an opportunity to work for Infosys is sort of murky. Personally, I’ll take my chances, as I don’t see the Infosys environment being very congenial if you’re not Indian. That’s not racism, that’s just a statement of fact (and borne out by comments in the news from others who have gone through this same outsourcing.)

Summary: Don’t expect to be offered much. Do ask for your PTO if not offered. Don’t sign anything if you’re not sure exactly what it means. Do ask an attorney for help if you’re unsure what you’re signing away. Don’t trust Fossil to have your best interests at heart (they obviously don’t).

by
| 1161 views | | 5 replies (last April 15, 2015) | Reply
Post ID: @OP+B1xosnF

5 replies (most recent on top)

Makes ya proud, don't it! Maybe the sarcasm doesn't come through clearly in a post -- I'm not proud of Fossil or having my job sold to India. I'm not sick over it either. I'm angry and you should be. too! The links have already been posted here about Infosys' possible criminal behavior destroying American jobs with H-1B visa holders, and the Senators' letter to Holder, Johnson,and Perez is public knowledge. It's time we started writing and calling folks to get then off top dead center. Why isn't this storey in the Dallas papers? I'm gonna have a bunch of free time soon and I plan to carpet Washington and Austin with letters and emails. We can stand up or stay on our knees. I prefer to stand.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @Vet+B1xosnF

Makes ya proud, don't it! Maybe the sarcasm doesn't come through clearly in a post -- I'm not proud of Fossil or having my job sold to India. I'm not sick over it either. I'm angry and you should be. too! The links have already been posted here about Infosys' possible criminal behavior destroying American jobs with H-1B visa holders, and the Senators' letter to Holder, Johnson,and Perez is public knowledge. It's time we started writing and calling folks to get then off top dead center. Why isn't this storey in the Dallas papers? I'm gonna have a bunch of free time soon and I plan to carpet Washington and Austin with letters and emails. We can stand up or stay on our knees. I prefer to stand.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @haO+B1xosnF

"How many IT people have been let go? Are there still more layoffs?"

Yes. The majority of North America IT will be let go by early to mid summer and whatever is left no later than September. That includes directors and managers. And, yes, they will be..."encouraged" to train their H1B replacements from India who will be occupying their cubes.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @rm9+B1xosnF

How many IT people have been let go? Are there still more layoffs?

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @5fR+B1xosnF

It's NEVER a bad idea to take care when signing something. The documents probably don't say anything you can't comprehend, just take the time to understand them. It is correct that Fossil is not obligated to provide you with any kind of severance package unless you have something like that written into a contract on the front end, which I doubt is applicable to any of the IT folks being let go at this time.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @amK+B1xosnF

Post a reply

: