When I gave my notice last week I was shocked at how well my boss there was taking it. Shocked mainly because he tends to get upset or offended easily and often resorts to shady, vindictive actions when he is mad at someone. So I should have known.
When I came in yesterday to help the new girl with payroll and try to finish up some training, his wife showed up to meet with me. She asked me to sign a statement saying I completed my responsibilities during my term of employment to the best of my abilities, etc., etc. When I refused to sign it, she informed me that I would not receive my final paycheck until I did. After some argument I signed it hoping to be done with it, take my paycheck, and go home. But then she tells me that I also need to stay on part time and make sure the month end process and financial statements are completed for August, and that I wouldn’t receive my paycheck until it was done. (I honestly don’t think these people knew what a month end process was until I started working there and created some sense of order.)
I was furious. I couldn’t think straight, my heart was pounding. I knew they couldn’t do this and I should have said that, but I was just so overwhelmed with anger. I was hurt that they didn’t trust me to do what I said I would do, which was to make sure the new accountant had all the information she needs to do her job. So after some brief arguing, I walked out. I peeled out of the parking lot and drove home. After I cooled off a bit I did some research (seriously, you can find anything on the internet). Then I sent my former boss this e-mail (Names have been removed to protect the guilty):
Hi [Boss],
I have been working very hard to make the transition for the new accountant as smooth as possible, and before my meeting with [your wife] this evening I had fully intended to see it through. I am very disappointed in how I was treated and regret to inform you that I will no longer be available to [the company] for any kind of consulting or training. I will inform [the new accountant] as soon as possible that any questions she may have should be forwarded to you.
I will be at [the company] tomorrow morning (9/7/05) at 8 am to pick up my final paycheck. Michigan law does not permit employers to withhold final wages. (Please see the link below).
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/mileg.asp?page=getObject&objName=mcl-408-475&highlight=
Warmest Regards,
Mindy Richmond
This was his response:
Your final check will be mailed to you.
Hope you enjoy your new career. May it be everything we couldn’t provide.
I just hope he mails the check by tomorrow in order to comply with the Dept of Labor’s three day deadline. I guess if I don’t have it by Friday (everything mailed within Lansing takes a day) I’ll just have to file a complaint 
The upside to all this is that it makes me more confident that I made the right decision to leave. I really don’t want to work for people who think it’s okay to do things like this. Mike doesn’t either, and he’s already making plans. More on that later. Right now it’s time to get ready for our trip to the neurosurgeon!
Why do people have to be vindictive. That’s just absurd. I really don’t think you come off as a person who would go back on their word. What ever happened to the trust in the world. The honor of a man’s(or woman’s) word. That’s too bad, that extra part- time would of been some nice income. Where’s the window?!
Why would you have to do more work after you signed a statment saying that you completed all your work? Maybe I’m missing something.
Yeah, good question. I don’t think they thought all of that through well enough. If they had, they would have found out that what they were doing was illegal. If they had just left things alone I would still be out there helping them. So they really shot themselves in the foot. Not only did they burn a bridge with me, they pretty much burned one with Mike too.