The Human Resources office was sterile: white walls, minimal decoration, and Natalie Pham’s sympathetic but practiced expression. She was new to the company, having joined just six months ago, and I could see she was uncomfortable with the situation.
«I’m sorry about this, Morgan,» she said, sliding separation papers across her desk. «And I’m very sorry about your mother.»
«Thank you,» I replied, scanning the documents. Standard severance, two weeks’ pay, a non-disparagement clause, and a reminder of my non-compete agreement, which prohibited me from working for direct competitors for six months.
«Is there anything I should know about why this happened?» Natalie asked cautiously. «This seems sudden.»
I considered how much to share, then decided on the truth. I took out my phone and showed her the email. «Three days of approved bereavement leave, and I’m fired for not prioritizing work.»
Natalie’s professional demeanor slipped, her eyes widening. «This is the actual termination notice? Just an email, no performance improvement plan, no documented warnings, nothing?» She frowned, making a note on her legal pad. «I need to verify some things with the legal department. Would you excuse me for a moment?»
While Natalie stepped out, I gazed through the window. From this floor, I could see the Cascade River winding through the city. My mother had loved that river. She taught me patience there, standing in waders as the current flowed past our knees. «The river moves, Morgan dear,» she’d say. «But the stones remain firm. Be like the stones.»
Natalie returned 20 minutes later, her expression carefully neutral, but her tight smile told me everything. Nothing would change.
«Unfortunately, Washington is an at-will employment state,» she began. «The company is within its rights to…»
«I understand,» I interrupted, signing the documents without further debate. «Peak Valley can do whatever it wants, just like I can.»
She hesitated, then lowered her voice. «Off the record, this isn’t right. If you wanted to pursue action…»
«I don’t,» I said firmly, «but thank you.»
As I walked through the main office toward the exit, I felt eyes following me. My team watched silently, their faces somber. I gave them a small smile, my last act as their leader.
Outside, the September air was surprisingly mild. I placed my box in the trunk of my car and sat in the driver’s seat, allowing myself a moment to process everything. My phone chimed with a text message, then another, and another.
Eric: «This is wrong. What can we do?»
Rebecca: «Are you okay? Can we meet later?»
Nathan: «Greg’s a gutless coward. The team is furious.»
More messages arrived: expressions of outrage, support, loyalty. These people weren’t just colleagues; they were my professional family. I started my car, a plan already forming in my mind. I wouldn’t confront Peak Valley directly. I wouldn’t sue, though I probably had grounds. No, I would be strategic, patient, like my mother taught me. The stones stay firm while the river rushes past.
My phone rang. It was Julia Blackwell, the CEO of Summit Global Logistics, Peak Valley’s biggest competitor. We’d met at an industry conference last year and stayed in touch. She’d been trying to recruit me for months. It was time to return her call.
The Summit Global Logistics office was everything Peak Valley wasn’t: open concept, collaborative workspaces, and large windows framing the Seattle skyline. Julia Blackwell, a tall woman with silver hair and perceptive eyes, welcomed me with a warm handshake.
«I’ve been hoping you’d call,» she said, guiding me to a conference room, «though I admit I didn’t expect it would be under these circumstances.» News traveled fast in our industry.
Julia already knew about my termination, though not the details. I filled her in as we sat down, showing her Greg’s email.
«That’s not just poor management,» Julia said, frowning. «That’s inhumane. Bereavement leave exists for a reason.»
«Peak Valley has always valued profits over people,» I replied. «I just never thought I’d be on the receiving end.»
Julia leaned forward. «I’ll be direct, Morgan. I want you on my team. Summit is expanding our Pacific Northwest operations, and we need someone with your expertise. The division director position is yours if you want it.»
My heart skipped. Division director—a significant promotion from my role at Peak Valley. More responsibility, more authority, better pay.
«What about my non-compete?» I asked.
Julia smiled. «Our legal team has reviewed it. It’s excessively broad and likely unenforceable. Plus, we’d cover any legal expenses if Peak Valley tried to enforce it.»
«I’d need to consider it,» I said carefully.
«Of course,» Julia replied. «Take the weekend. We can discuss specifics on Monday.»
That evening, I met Rebecca and Eric at Shoreline Brewing, a small pub away from downtown where we wouldn’t likely encounter other Peak Valley employees. They arrived together, their expressions a mix of anger and concern.
«How are you holding up?» Rebecca asked, sliding into the booth.
«I’m okay,» I assured them. «It’s been a difficult couple of weeks, but I’ll be fine.»
Eric snorted. «Greg’s an idiot. The office is already in chaos. Nobody knows where the Martinez proposal files are stored, and the system access you had hasn’t been transferred to anyone else.»
«That sounds like a Greg problem,» I replied, taking a sip of my water.
Rebecca leaned forward. «It’s more than that. Everyone’s talking, not just our team. People are furious about how you were treated.»
I hadn’t expected that. «Really?»
«You were respected, Morgan,» Eric said. «Not just by us. The way Greg handled this… people are worried now. If they do this to you, their star team lead, what would they do to anyone else?»
Rebecca nodded. «Richard has been asking questions. The district manager looks concerned.»
«Good,» I said simply. As we talked, more texts arrived from other team members with similar stories of disorganization, frustration, and anger at management. Peak Valley was feeling my absence already.
«What will you do now?» Eric asked.
I hesitated. «I’ve had an offer from Summit.»
Their eyes widened. «But your non-compete?»
«Those aren’t always enforceable,» Rebecca said quickly. She worked with contracts daily and knew the legalities. «Especially if they fired you without cause.»
«That’s what Summit’s legal team said. But it’s still a risk.»
Eric’s phone buzzed. He checked it and frowned. «Greg’s calling an emergency meeting tomorrow morning. Saturday. He’s never done that before.»
«The Thompson account review is due Monday,» Rebecca explained to me. «Nobody can find your analysis files.»
I smiled slightly. Those files were properly stored on the company server, but my particular organizational system wasn’t immediately obvious to others. I hadn’t anticipated this would become an issue, but I couldn’t deny feeling a flicker of satisfaction.
«I should get going,» I said, gathering my purse. «Early appointment tomorrow.»
As I stood to leave, Eric caught my eye. «Morgan, if you did go to Summit, hypothetically speaking, would they be hiring?»
I paused, studying their faces. «Hypothetically? Yes, they’re expanding rapidly.» The look that passed between Eric and Rebecca told me everything.
Saturday morning, I met with Marcus Diaz, an employment lawyer recommended by a friend. His office was small but elegant, with diplomas from prestigious universities adorning the walls. I explained my situation, showing him the email and termination notice.
«This is textbook wrongful termination,» Marcus said, removing his glasses. «Firing someone for taking approved bereavement leave could be argued as both a breach of contract and a violation of good faith.»
«I’m not interested in suing,» I clarified. «I just want to understand my options regarding my non-compete agreement.»
Marcus reviewed the document carefully. «This is overly restrictive. Six months prohibition on working for competitors within a 300-mile radius? That’s essentially telling you to leave the industry or relocate.»
«Is it enforceable?» I asked.
«In Washington, it’s questionable, especially given the circumstances of the event. The courts typically won’t enforce non-competes when the employer acts in bad faith.» He leaned back in his chair. «What’s your plan, Morgan?»
«Summit Global Logistics has offered me a position. Better title, better pay.»
Marcus nodded. «Peak Valley would have to prove that you’re causing them actual harm by working there. Given that they terminated you, that’s a difficult argument to make.» He scribbled some notes. «I’d say proceed with caution, but don’t let this non-compete prevent you from earning a living.»
Over the weekend, my phone continued buzzing with messages from my former team. The emergency Saturday meeting had apparently been tense. Greg was pressuring everyone to take on additional responsibilities to cover my absence, with no extra compensation. The Thompson account files had been located, but nobody fully understood my analysis methodology. By Sunday evening, I had made my decision.
Monday morning, I called Julia Blackwell. «I accept your offer,» I told her, «but I have one condition.»
«Name it,» Julia replied.
«I want to build my own team. If my former colleagues from Peak Valley apply to Summit, I want them to receive fair consideration.»
«Absolutely,» Julia agreed. «If they’re half as talented as you, we’d be lucky to have them.»
