Joined fulltime moving out from employer

[Pjope]

Hi, I have completed 14 months with my employer and moved to FT with the end client. Employer was holding my H1 also. When I informed the employer that I am joining FT they asked me finder fees and other penalty etc that I need to pay because there is a rule that not supposed to join the end client directly. I don't have any documents signed regarding contract. My payroll has been stopped and my 2 months salary is with them. When I asked for my money they are coming with different deals and seems like they are not interested in paying back my money. 2 days back a lawyer representing the employer called to settle this by asking to pay 23% of annual salary or can be settled with my payroll as penalty and training and immigration fees. I told them I am ready for some reasonable settlement like what ever expenses incurred for me are ready to pay but this is more than that. Anybody know is there any rule with vendors and that an employee is not supposed to join the end client. If this is not settled they are going to sue me. Can anybody provide me some guidelines how to proceed with this/ Is there anyway that I can get my money back. A response is appreciated.

[rahul412]

Hi, I have completed 14 months with my employer and moved to FT with the end client. Employer was holding my H1 also. When I informed the employer that I am joining FT they asked me finder fees and other penalty etc that I need to pay because there is a rule that not supposed to join the end client directly. I don't have any documents signed regarding contract. My payroll has been stopped and my 2 months salary is with them. When I asked for my money they are coming with different deals and seems like they are not interested in paying back my money. 2 days back a lawyer representing the employer called to settle this by asking to pay 23% of annual salary or can be settled with my payroll as penalty and training and immigration fees. I told them I am ready for some reasonable settlement like what ever expenses incurred for me are ready to pay but this is more than that. Anybody know is there any rule with vendors and that an employee is not supposed to join the end client. If this is not settled they are going to sue me. Can anybody provide me some guidelines how to proceed with this/ Is there anyway that I can get my money back. A response is appreciated.

did you signed any agreement??

I think its better to spend some money on good attorney rather than settling the case with that fraud employer.

[pontevecchio]

Get a Labor Lawyer in your state and run the scenario by him,.

[Attorney_23]

There is no immigration law preventing an H1B worker from joining an end client. You can check with a labor lawyer to see if there are any state laws preventing such a transfer. But, you also should consider contacting the U.S. Department of Labor, as it would generally be a violation to withhold an employee's paycheck.