Exactly: we already have plenty of areas where a civil case can turn into a criminal one like fraud (just ask Elizabeth Holmes).
Saying "we'll pay you severance" with 0 intention to do so sure sounds like fraud to me.
Saying "we'll pay you severance" with 0 intention to do so sure sounds like fraud to me.
https://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/attorney-general-f...
It likely was once promises were made to continue to pay severance for at least one year, and employees relied upon this promise (instead of immediately seeking to work elsewhere).
It's not technically wage theft, in spirit it's pretty similar to wage theft since the termination of employment contracts had severance payment as a clause.
Potato, potato.