I've just been made redundant due to this coronavirus situation we're in. My employer of 17 years realised they never had me sign my updated employment contract which has a restrictive covenant clause which states I'm prohibited from contacting any of my old clients for 6 months. Meaning they can't enforce the terms of that contract.
Two days before the end of my employment they sent me an agreement similar to what it says in the contract and said if I don't sign it, they won't pay a penny of my redundancy money. I have refused.
I've since had an employment law firm take my case who will bring a claim against my employer, but this will cost me around £5k and take months potentially.
Then I had a thought pop into my head this evening. If they force me to sign their agreement, then surely it must be null and void as I am signing it under duress? As far as I know, no contract signed under duress is enforceable. This way I get to keep all my hard earned money and not pay a solicitor thousands for nothing.
Can anyone shed some light?
Two days before the end of my employment they sent me an agreement similar to what it says in the contract and said if I don't sign it, they won't pay a penny of my redundancy money. I have refused.
I've since had an employment law firm take my case who will bring a claim against my employer, but this will cost me around £5k and take months potentially.
Then I had a thought pop into my head this evening. If they force me to sign their agreement, then surely it must be null and void as I am signing it under duress? As far as I know, no contract signed under duress is enforceable. This way I get to keep all my hard earned money and not pay a solicitor thousands for nothing.
Can anyone shed some light?