Help! -am I soft or a bitch?

About 4yrs ago myself and an ex (yes the one I horrifically found out was gay ) took a crooked employer for unfair dismissal. The matter was settled and a payout figure was agreed upon.

Every few months I would receive my potion of payment and things were generally rosy….
Since I have been told a number of other people have also taken the same employer to court and won – So the payments have been reduced.

Now I’m told that this employer has told the solicitor they have had a heart attack and has offered a lump sum payment (1/4 of the outstanding amount) of which half of that is owed to the solicitor.

The solicitor clearly wants to wrap it up (because they get paid out) and the employer is very very difficult to deal with…

So – My question to you is:
Am I soft if I just accept the offer and put the whole thing behind me? or
Am I being a bitch if I chase the outstanding money from this shifty cow?

HELP!
Poss

You are probably best to settle, but I'd aim for more than 1/4 - they are probably hoping to get out of it cheaper, but they probably also expect to negotiate.

Hi Poss, welcome back.

There are a couple of questions you need to ask your solicitor is how sure are they that the ex-boss is not just pulling a shifty and trying to save 75% of the money they owe you. Has the ex-boss filed a Stat Dec saying they no longer plan to work, or are they hoping you'll assume that and you'll go away happy with 25%? Get you solicitor to earn their stipend and get him/her to ask some questions and do some digging. The ex-boss should show some medical documentation to prove/backup what he is asserting as the reason he can't fulfill his debts, and at the very least a note (or two) from a hospital and/or a couple of preferably independent doctors.

How much is owed (not the dollar amount, the percentage of the original amount owing)? If you're nearly done and you can't be arsed then it may be better to cut your losses and walk away. If you're pretty sure this is a shonky attempt by your ex-Boss to save themselves a bit of green then ask yourself how much pain are you willing to withstand, and how willing are you to lose what's owing to prove a point.

Mick

Last edited by Ratmick on Thu Feb 28, 2008 9:44 pm, edited 2 times in total.

Is your lawyer going to accept a quarter if you settle? Negotiate. Its your money.


Daisy. (Who is a proper bitch)

hmm heart attack u say??

will he/she die soon and u lose any chance??

easy solution.. tell em u want 90% or they will have to get over a heart attack with broken fingers...

hmm heart attack u say??

will he/she die soon and u lose any chance??

easy solution.. tell em u want 90% or they will have to get over a heart attack with broken fingers...

she wont die - you couldnt even kill her... shes not human... definately going for more...the soft c*%k ex wants to settle with the offer..

Is your lawyer going to accept a quarter if you settle? Negotiate. Its your money.


Daisy. (Who is a proper bitch)

Hi Daisy - Solicitor is on fixed payment...thats why they are pushing to settle... so they can recontract $$$ ....i ususally wouldnt be so confused, but i need some of the payment, tv has blown up and i'm skimped from my holiday....as stubborn as i am about my rights i'm tired...

how willing are you to lose what's owing to prove a point.

Mick

Thanks Mick,it's good to be back - i've missed my bed...

Your advice is great and I think you knocked it on the head in your last line (above) Not many people can boil my blood but this woman pushes me….you got me thinking and I can relate the situation to a piece of crap paper stuck to your shoe…harmless and annoying, but there none the less….I do need to lose it.

Some of the money would be ease my money woes at the moment, but realistically I could live without it… I do need to get over it, but I will negotiate for a higher percentage.

Cheers

You are probably best to settle, but I'd aim for more than 1/4 - they are probably hoping to get out of it cheaper, but they probably also expect to negotiate.

Hi Felix...
Thanks for your advice...you state obvious, but sometimes you need to hear it from someone else to see it for yourself -
Cheers Jo

Someone once told me: 'Help everybody in your power but when you leave, collect your fee' Good advice. You earned that money in good faith and you are entitled to collect on it. If it is not going to cost you to negotiate a higher $$$ value then go for it. Tell your limp-wristed fag of an ex to HTFU and support you on this too, after all, it's in his best interests to get more cash also.
Nick

Someone once told me: 'Help everybody in your power but when you leave, collect your fee' Good advice. You earned that money in good faith and you are entitled to collect on it. If it is not going to cost you to negotiate a higher $$$ value then go for it. Tell your limp-wristed fag of an ex to HTFU and support you on this too, after all, it's in his best interests to get more cash also.
Nick

Good advice!
Pride verses Cost – I will always have my pride but I think it will cost me my sanity
As for the ex he’s in the past and I need to stop looking over my shoulder. I cant wait for the day i can delete his email address.

I will offer a sum and leave the rest to fate…

Thanks Nick

Someone once told me: 'Help everybody in your power but when you leave, collect your fee' Good advice. You earned that money in good faith and you are entitled to collect on it. If it is not going to cost you to negotiate a higher $$$ value then go for it. Tell your limp-wristed fag of an ex to HTFU and support you on this too, after all, it's in his best interests to get more cash also.
Nick

Good advice!
Pride verses Cost – I will always have my pride but I think it will cost me my sanity
As for the ex he’s in the past and I need to stop looking over my shoulder. I cant wait for the day i can delete his email address.

I will offer a sum and leave the rest to fate…

Thanks Nick

There is a powerfully motivating story about a guy called Hernando Cortez that I think you would benefit from hearing. I'll PM you tomorrow with it when I have more time

if the lawyer is on a fixed price... and u dont *really* need the money that badly.. why not hold out, make the lawyer earn his money and get u more??

thats what id do...

tell the lawyer "u get me $$XX and ill take the offer" ...

if the lawyer is on a fixed price... and u dont *really* need the money that badly.. why not hold out, make the lawyer earn his money and get u more??

thats what id do...

tell the lawyer "u get me $$XX and ill take the offer" ...

I've sent an email to the lawyers - more money for a settlement or they keep going - i feel a bit soft but i have decided i've had enough of arsholes in my life and pretty much want it over with - will keep u posted!

poss

if the lawyer is on a fixed price... and u dont *really* need the money that badly.. why not hold out, make the lawyer earn his money and get u more??

thats what id do...

tell the lawyer "u get me $$XX and ill take the offer" ...

I've sent an email to the lawyers - more money for a settlement or they keep going - i feel a bit soft but i have decided i've had enough of arsholes in my life and pretty much want it over with - will keep u posted!

poss

yea thats what id do.. at least with a settlement u will kno uve got it.. therell be no waiting and hoping.... but dont settle too low... if u dont get enuf $$, how are u gunna be able to afford to spoil me??