I think I have a wrongful termination case...I was told I couldn't talk to fellow employees?

You must speak with a lawyer. A good law firm specializing in this field will know what your rights are in Texas. Particularly if you have been offered a severance package. Don't be intimidated and don't sign anything. If you have signed in the meantime that could be construed as intimidation and you still need legal counsel. If the company has given you anything at all in writing take it with you when you see your lawyer.

First just because a company offers an employee a severance/settlement package it does NOT mean that the employee has a valid lawsuit. Companies offer settlements for a variety of reasons; the employee did good work, the circumstances of the termination were unfair BUT NOT ILLEGAL, or they just do not want to have another lawsuit and more legal bills. So, DO NOT base your decision on that offer. It sounds like you were terminated not for the initial computer issue but because some how someone said you spoke to another employee about the incident. Whether you did or did not do this the termination is still legal. Unless you are under a union or employment contract that guarantees your job, you are an at will employee who can be fired for ANY THING except discrimination. As for discrimination, the EEOC www.eeoc.gov lists discrimination as actions based on age, sex, religion, ethnicity, national origin, race, color, disability, military or marital status. In order to have a valid claim of discrimination you must be able to prove that what happened to you happend because of one of these factors. You do that by pointing to another employee in the same/similar job, who had the same circumstances, of a different sex, race, etc., and who was not fired. As for playing the negotiation game with the severance, be very careful. Many employers offer severance packages on a 'take it or leave it' basis. You start changing the terms and the employer can legally withdraw the offer. In the Chicago / Northern Illinois area severance packages are usually one week's pay for every year worked. You need to hire an attorney in your area who specializes in employment law. There may be other factors which were not posted that could turn this into a discrimination case. Your state laws may offer another avenue to sue the employer. Also an attorney has experience in negotiations and will not lose the entire amount by playing games.

You could contact the State Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Labor, you may just have a case. If you can afford a labor lawyer that would help also. Good Luck.

Let me guess, do you work at convergys?? I sued those bastards already, I thought that this crap was over and done with. first of all, if they offered you 3000, they are not going to give you 15000. You will likely have to get a lawyer to assist you with this, because you haven't given a reason as to WHY you were supended, or what the situation was. You weren't just told not to talk to people. You were told not to talk to anyone while you were suspended. Yup it sounds like convergys all right. It sounds like they have been heavy handed, cold, callus and uncaring of your loyalty and dedication to the company. The are now engaging in bullyish behavior that is causing you severe emotional turmoil. GO TO A DOCTOR RIGHT AWAY>>LIKE TOMORROW, and tell them you are emotionally ****** up because of this event. That way, 6 months from now, when you are presenting to a judge, he can't ask, OH if you were such an emotional wreck, why didn't you seek medical advice?? Learn from someone who made mistakes in the past. Screw these guys to the wall. GO TO A DOCTOR. its the best advice I can give you. You are in such emotional turmoil, you haven't been able to function, eat, sleep or maintain a semblance of a reasonable life. Add a few more things here...................""

If they offered you any settlement with a proviso that you not bring a legal action, there is a good chance that they are in the wrong, In a case like this you do not seek an answer from YA but you refer it to EEOC.