If my former employer is asking for my current address, am I legally obligated to give it?
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If my former employer is asking for my current address, am I legally obligated to give it?
My former employer has been sending me e-mails every few days for the last few weeks asking for my current address. He states he needs it because I am to be included as a deposition witness for a partnership lawsuit that he and his partner are in. I have not worked there for over a year. Am I bound to give him my address? What if I do not want to be be deposed or testify? How do I get him to stop sending me harassing emails?
Asked on March 2, 2011 under Employment Labor Law, Illinois
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
Three different issues:
1) If a current employer wanted your address, you'd have to provide it, of course; however, you are under no obligation to provide it to a former employer.
2) As to testifying: you can only be legally compelled to testify if subpoened--but if you are subpoened, you will have to go. That means that if they get a subpoena to you, you'll have to be deposed and/or go to trial. As noted, you don't need to give them your address, which may impede service, but if they end up getting it--through a mutual acquiantence, through some P.I. or other service--they'll be able to serve you with a subpoena.
3) There's no legal way to jake them stop emailing you. Look for a technological solution; can you set your email to block emails from them and their lawyers? Or change your email address? Etc.
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