I resigned from my position as VP/COO of a small company with 19 retial stores under my watch. I did so due to hostile work environment. I h...

Question

I resigned from my position as VP/COO of a small company with 19 retial stores under my watch. I did so due to hostile work environment. I have a signed equity compensation document from previous owner and am asking if I have a right to pursue it now?

Answer

I cannot answer your question without reading or knowing the terms of the equity compensation document that you mentioned above. Your situation is a very fact intensive one.I recommend that you get in touch with an attorney local to your area, and take a copy of the equity compensation document with you to that meeting. Whoever you consult with is going to have to formulate a detailed timeline of what happened when, as well is to establish what you communicated as the reason for your departure when you resigned.

For example, an attorney will want to know if you ever reported facts to establish a hostile work environment. Did you file complaints with anybody about other employees? Were those complaints investigated? If so, what were the results? When you resigned, did you give a reason? If so, what was that reason? Were other people at the company aware of what was happening to you who may be sympathetic to you? Etc.

Only after being able to go through the types of questions I've listed above will someone be able to give you an idea of what you're possible outcomes are should you decide to pursue enforcement of the equity compensation document.

I hope this at least points you in the right direction, I wish you the best of luck.