I got a job offer this week for a position with a new company making 20k more per year than I make now. This company approached me to interview with them and said I made a great fit. I put in my notice today for a week and a half from today and requested all my earned PTO be added to my final paycheck.
I received an email from my boss a few hours later (who has been out of office all week) stating they were processing my resignation without paying out PTO because I did not give them a full two weeks notice stating this is “company policy”. My follow up email was a gentle reminder to her that withholding earned PTO is illegal in my state (Colorado) and provided her a few references to review.
Shortly I got an email reply to that reference saying “I agree with this and have always abided accordingly” which is a lie because I know other former employees that have told me she kept their PTO as they left. A few minutes after that email hit my inbox my cell phone rang, my boss calling, to tell me they were paying my PTO out in full but that my last day was today and in fact, I shouldn't even finish the day and just leave immediately, they would pay out the rest of the day and I should collect my final check in a few hours from our main office.
I took some time collecting all my stuff from the office, telling everyone exactly what happened and why they decided to fire me instead of letting me finish out my time. Let everyone know to fight for their PTO when they leave and not to let the company steal it and shared what I made so everyone has a base level for the upcoming raises in July.
I went to collect my check, spoke to my HR rep and took copies of my emails which she told me my boss conveniently still hadn't provided despite the fact HR asked for them already. She happily took my copies and read over them while her face turned to shock. She agreed that what my boss said was blatantly illegal, mostly factually incorrect, and unprofessional. I told them I expect a paycheck for the last week and a half I offered to work before I was fired, or I'll file an unemployment claim. My HR rep said she was calling the CEO of our company before she left for the day. I'll be waiting to hear back on the last part…
I ate so much shit at this office over the last 3 years while getting raises totaling less than a dollar that entire time, doing the work of at least 3 people. Now I get to chill for basically a month (paid) while I wait to start the new gig.