How should I respond to this email?

[debrajms]

My former employer provided housing as well as employment, as an on-site manager at a self-storage facility in California. I made $11.00 an hour and I had to fight for this too! Without warning, I was let go on my vacation! What are the regulatory statues of unfair and insensitive termination involving losing your job and your place of residence at the same time? I was terminated because the district manager needed a place to live, a place to work and he has seniority. My termination letter states that they no longer needed my services. My severance pay was 1 week vacation pay. I asked them to help pay for my moving expenses, they said NO!

After 2 weeks of packing, I am ready to go but I am waiting for my EDD check so I can afford to move out completely. Apparently, there is a glitch in the system and it may take an additional 2-3 weeks.

I asked him for a little more time to move out because of my check. His reply was, This is unacceptable, will now forward to our attorneys to handle and proceed as needed both in terms of eviction, and other issues discovered on site. I find that I'm being falsely accused and I have no idea what he is talking about? I have been bullied for 3 years by these people, I am glad to go but I can't leave until I receive my check. How should I respond to this threatening email?[/SIZE][/B][/SIZE]

 

[FlaRiptide]

Until someone else with more legal knowledge comes along, here is my take on this:

California is an "at will" state, meaning the employer may terminate an employee without cause as along as discrimination is not involved.

Thusly, I would assume (unless you had a contract that said otherwise) your residence was based upon a month to month tenancy. Therefor to evict you the employer must provide you with a 30-day notice. I would believe that giving you notice of termination does not excuse the employer from also following the legal steps of having you vacate the residence. Since there is no rent involved and you have not received the required notice then you may not be evicted. You should be able to stay put until 30 days following the receipt of said notice.

I am not an attorney, thus my statements may not be totally true. Yet, unless you learn otherwise I would suggest the following:

Respond to the threatening email stating that as a "tenant at will" you are entitled to remaining on the premise until the owner/employer provides you with the 30-day notice to terminate tenancy.

This will provide you with an answer from the employer's attorney advising that you are right or you are wrong. (and all it cost you was an email)

Meanwhile, this may give you the time you need to receive your check and vacate.

and other issues discovered on site. I find that I'm being falsely accused and I have no idea what he is talking about?

If you are unaware of any issues, then don't let this worry you. Don't even mention it in your response. Just get your severence check and get out.