Ask HN: Employer Violated NDA
I just recently left a company and on leaving I signed a NDA basically saying that neither party should discuss the reason for the split to anyone. So, on the same day I left, the founder had a meeting with the other employees and told them the exact reason I left thus violating the NDA.
We have meetings frequently, so it's customary for them to be recorded. One of my former co-workers sent me audio of the meeting and he violated the NDA to the fullest extent.
I'm really not familiar with the legalities of this situation. I wanted to know what my options are, and if anyone has any recommendations.
13 comments
[ 4.0 ms ] story [ 50.3 ms ] threadMaria.Kallmeyer@quarles.com
Fact of the matter is, the damage is done, there is no taking back what he said or did. Moving forward your choices are to let it go(fuck those guys anyway right!), or fight for something you probably won't get.
The process of getting lawyers and pursuing this in court is not an easy process, it will wear on you mentally, it will make you want to rip your fucking hair out in frustration and, in the end, probably nothing will come out of it.
If it is mutual, you likely can take action.
If it is unilateral, you likely don't have a case.
You can tell by the wording and possibly the title of the NDA.
In any case, lawyer up if you want justice. There may be something said on the recording that could be slanderous, libelous, etc. And then of course, it may not be admissible in court if it was recorded without the speaker's knowledge. Or, perhaps someone who was there would testify in a deposition that it was in fact said. Repeating myself, lots of good questions for an attorney...
This is why seemingly simple things are defined explicitly in contracts.
In short, you almost definitely have no recourse, but check with an employment lawyer to confirm that.