Employee Termination

About five weeks ago, I put in my notice of resignation at my last job.

Just like many other people in the midst of this recession, my paycheck was an issue, not to mention the price of gas for my 50 mile commute each day. So, of course, I left for a better paying job.

Like asked, I gave a notice of resignation. However, due to personal reasons, my resignation was only a week instead of two.

I ended my tenure with my old company with high marks. There was no hard feelings or negative expressions. Or so I thought.

Since my last day was in the middle of a pay period, I had to wait a week before I got my last check. That was understandable so I had no problem with that. The week that I was supposed to get my check Gustav came, so because of his effects I didn't get my check until a week after that. Because I opted to get my last check mailed, that caused an additional waiting period. So total, my last check came approximately three weeks after my last day of work. I had no problem with that either because 'things happen'.

What I did have a problem with was after I deposited my two-week late check, it was returned due to insufficient funds. Imagine my surprise, a week after I deposited the check, when I tried to withdraw money and was told that I couldn't because of insufficient funds.

Immediately, identity theft filled my mind cause I knew I deposited a check a week ago and I also knew that I had not had any charges or withdrawals since then. As the bank teller was going through my transactions, I started to get anxious. All the while, I was thinking 'Is this really happening to me', but then the truth came out.

I was not a victim of identity theft, as I suspected, but instead a victim of employee termination.

I called my old job in hopes of getting an explanation but instead I got the run around. It seems as if everyone was 'off' that day. I have been known to have a temper, so I waited a while before making that first call. The first time I called, no answer. The second time still no answer. Since my temper was still cool, I thought 'Maybe it was a mistake, so I will just call back on Monday', considering how it was a Friday afternoon. But somewhere between the bank and my current job, my temper came back. It may have been triggered by two unanswered phone calls and a car ride full of thought.

I picked up my phone, this time full of rage, and dialed the company's number once again. I got an answer that time. I asked to speak to the lady over payroll. [Since it is a small company, one lady handles human resources, payroll, and all business development] She was not there, but I was not going to let that phase me. I asked to speak to anyone that could help me regarding a returned check. I was then transferred to another lady who told me that I could expect my check the following week during the regular pay period's checks disbursement. I ended the phone conversation, but not before mentioning the added fees that I expected to be included in the check. She agreed.

The following week, I called about my check and was told that the CEO had not signed them yet, but I will be able to pick it up the next midday.

The day came when I could finally pick up my check. To my dismay, the fees was not added. I was even given the story that the check was returned cause they thought that they paid me for two weeks. I believe that that story was in effort to hide that fact that they wrote a bad check because any little research would have shown that I was only paid for one week.

It have been one week and a few days since I picked up my check. I still have not received the check that would take care of my fees. The same check that was promised to me a week ago.

However, I did receive another check in the mail; the returned check from my last job that the bank sent. It was, indeed, returned due to insufficient funds and the account number on that check differed from the account number of the new check.

Was it sabotage? Was it an accident? Or was I just a victim of employee termination??