I left the family business...

[kpeters]

I need some legal advice. I worked in my husbands, family's business(Virginia) for 10 years and I recently resigned and accepted a position with a competitor(in TN) doing the same thing I was doing..."Advertising Sales" *I never signed a Non-Compete* Before I left I made sure that my emails were cleaned out (except for the projects I was then currently working on), I forwarded my email contacts to my phone and some important emails that I thought may be important if a client ever contacted me directly. I cleaned out "files" that were so old, I was unsure of why I even kept them. However, I did not take actual files from their filing cabinets, nor did I delete or transfer actual order files that had important info. When I left I emailed my bosses (sister-in-laws) a resignation letter, stating that I had taken another position and think that it is for the best if I left... that I wanted to be a family and not an employee. I told them that I would be working on getting any projects that I had going, completed and making notes for their assistant to follow-up on anything that needed taken care of afterwards. I had to go out of the office for a little while and make a few delivery's and get some lunch... I received a text message from another girl in the office stating that if I was planning to come back, I better not... that the resignation letter, did not go over well...and as far as they were concerned, I was unemployed as of then! I went back about and 1-1/2 hrs. later one of the sisters was in the parking lot...she ran to the door and locked it!.. I was told to leave. To make a long story short.... I received an attorney letter in the mail today, stating that I was NOT denyed working out a notice(clearly I have the text messages from another employee that states differently).... and I have taken my emails and any other info I have from my emails illegally and I am to return it and cease any and all contact that I have or would've made with customers that I previously had while I worked there. Most of those customers asked me to contact them. It's not like I'm knocking down every single customer they have....It is very minimal (10-12 maybe)... + I am friends with many of those clients. I have heard from SO MANY people that with or without a non-compete...things like this just do not hold up in the court room..even with clear evidence. Can you tell me if I need to let this go? Are they just trying to scare me because they think I'm a threat, and thought I would never leave.... They have said many negative, untrue things about me to several clients that have come and told me. Do I need to get an attorney? This is supposed to be family for goodness sake... however, they treated me like DIRT... the co-workers at my new employment treat me more like family than they ever did. My husbands is sticking by me 100% and wants to never see them again. I don't think that is right, but he is upset by the way they have treated me over the years. VERY UNFAIR! Please help!! There is so much more that goes with this story... but it is 10 years worth of stress.... Please ask any questions you may have. I'll be happy to give more details if needed. Thanks!

 

[army judge]

I suggest you ignore them.

Go ahead and live your life.

If this worries you, consult a local attorney.

I wouldn't reveal TOO much of this story on a public forum.