WrkRiot is considering legal action against a disgruntled former employee who has launched a slanderous campaign against WrkRiot and some of its employees via social media.
While it is not our policy to discuss personnel matters, we want to make it clear that this former employee was fired for cause. Signed affidavits from current employees attest to this former employee’s failure to perform her required duties in the workplace. In addition, they attest to her participation in an attempt to undermine or oust certain members of management.
This former employee demanded a sum of $50,000 upon her departure. Under no verbal agreement, contract or any other type of covenant was this person entitled to such a sum. After learning that WrkRiot would not pay what it considered extortion money, this former employee began her campaign of slanderous of activity over the Internet.
WrkRiot believes this former employee’s writings have led to dangerous situations for many of our employees through the leaking of personal information and through threats being made over social media from others who have taken the former employee’s misinformation as truth.
We regret having to spend time and effort on this when there is so much to do in the development of our unique application. However, we want to make it abundantly clear that the slanderous writings of a disgruntled former employee do not represent the truth about WrkRiot, its management or workforce. The racist, sexist and abusive comments our employees have received are inexcusable.
Further, we want to make it clear that we will seek any and all legal remedies to end this campaign of slander.
Reality is that they have opened themselves up to a case that can be brought to the DA and the DA can pursue charges against the salary fraud.
If I was an American, I would be doing this regardless....
This facebook post of theirs just did two things
1.) Confirm its them.
2.) Lose them the ability to settle this quietly.
They could have quietly sat down with Penny and sort this out, but they didn't... that ship has sailed, they had one card in the deck to play, which was "Heres money, now take the post down and sign this non-disclosure".
But by posting it this on Facebook, then well .. they lost the ability to pretend it was not them.. there goes the ability to enforce a NDA.
They won't pay her now, the best they can do is "Don't go to the DA and we will give you the money" Which they won't do.
That there was apparently not NDA required on her exit more than anything just how amateur this Choi is. All he had to do was give her an extra grand specifically as compared consideration for an NDA and nothing but the government complaints would be said. Obviously you can't prohibit the reporting of a crime but she already did that anyway.
Which makes me wonder, why isn't she under an NDA already? Every one I've signed prohibit discussing practices even after termination for cause.
Perhaps because said NDA wouldn't stand up in the event that they didn't pay? (especially since the disclosures related to said lack of payment). She wasn't disclosing their secret sauce recipe.
You can't stop someone from reporting a crime to the authorities, but you can definitely stop them from discussing the matter publicly (which includes talking to the press or self publishing).
At the same time, Penny is not the brightest bulb in the world. I don't see what she gains from exposing the company. The downside is huge from the potential lawsuits and virility of the post unless she plans to somehow monetize the audience. I guess she could start a gofundme to pay for legal fees
Her post used aliases and didnt name specifics....they cant legally do anything becuase others played detective and figured out who was being slandered.
As a marketer this is brilliant since its good exposure. Plus the shame means she probaly will get paidor at least score payback.
WrkRiot is considering legal action against a disgruntled former employee who has launched a slanderous campaign against WrkRiot and some of its employees via social media. While it is not our policy to discuss personnel matters, we want to make it clear that this former employee was fired for cause. Signed affidavits from current employees attest to this former employee’s failure to perform her required duties in the workplace. In addition, they attest to her participation in an attempt to undermine or oust certain members of management. This former employee demanded a sum of $50,000 upon her departure. Under no verbal agreement, contract or any other type of covenant was this person entitled to such a sum. After learning that WrkRiot would not pay what it considered extortion money, this former employee began her campaign of slanderous of activity over the Internet. WrkRiot believes this former employee’s writings have led to dangerous situations for many of our employees through the leaking of personal information and through threats being made over social media from others who have taken the former employee’s misinformation as truth. We regret having to spend time and effort on this when there is so much to do in the development of our unique application. However, we want to make it abundantly clear that the slanderous writings of a disgruntled former employee do not represent the truth about WrkRiot, its management or workforce. The racist, sexist and abusive comments our employees have received are inexcusable. Further, we want to make it clear that we will seek any and all legal remedies to end this campaign of slander.