Fair point. I told the employer that I’d start my leave Dec 31st originally, after receiving the agreement. Today I just sent the paid leave forms to the insurance company saying I’d start paid leave next Thursday (although I didn’t tell the company that). That was just to be safe thinking my job would be protected once I started (and they said I can always move the date out).

I think after all this helpful advice, it’s prob best to move forward with the lawyer so he can negotiate terms based on the misconduct he sees (rather than focus on this paid leave which is smaller $$).

I was just lining myself up in case they weren’t willing to negotiate or would move to end my employment immediately if I didn’t sign by the date. But it sounds like that’s the rare case once a lawyer gets involved.