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. 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,” Rebecca said quickly. “Those aren’t always enforceable.”
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. 6 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 your termination. 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.”
That afternoon, I signed my contract with Summit: Division Director of Pacific Northwest Operations.
The salary was 40% higher than what I’d been making at Peak Valley, with better benefits and a sign-on bonus.
As I left Summit’s offices, I checked my phone to find seven new messages, one from each core member of my former team. They all wanted to meet for coffee privately.
Tuesday morning, I sat at a quiet corner table in a small coffee shop downtown, waiting.
Eric arrived first, then Rebecca. One by one, Nathan, Angela, Monica, Sophia, and Jack joined us until we filled two tables pulled together.
“Peak Valley is imploding,” Nathan said without preamble. “Greg’s micromanaging everyone. Richard is breathing down his neck, and clients are asking questions.”
“The Thompson account is threatening to pull out,” Rebecca added. “They wanted to know why you weren’t handling their renewal.”
I sipped my coffee, listening as each shared similar stories of chaos and frustration.
“We heard you’ve accepted a position at Summit,” Eric finally said.
The others grew quiet, watching me intently.
“News travels fast,” I observed.
“We want to come with you,” Rebecca stated firmly.
The others nodded in agreement.
I studied their faces.
“You all have good positions at Peak Valley. Secure jobs. Are you sure you want to risk that?”
“What security?” Angela asked bitterly. “If they’d fire you for attending your mother’s funeral, none of us are safe.”
“Summit is hiring,” I said carefully. “I can’t promise anything, but I can refer you. Each of you would need to apply formally.”
“We already have,” Sophia revealed, pulling out printed copies of confirmation emails. “All seven of us, yesterday.”