Play / Cast
Every game on this site happens at Mill Pond, home of Totally Normal Corp., a beaver lodge. Each animal stands for a role you will meet when a job ends. Nobody here is a villain. Everyone is doing their job. The trick is knowing whose job is to look out for you.
Jordan's side
The worker
Quick, capable, and very good at noticing details once the shock wears off. Jordan just found out the team is being reorganized and has a new document to read.
Jordan does not have to sign anything today, and asking for time to read is normal.
The Lodge's side
The HR partner
Calm, patient and very still. Harriet runs the meeting with a careful script and keeps the process on schedule.
Harriet's job is a smooth process for the Lodge. Kind manner, but not Jordan's advocate.
The Lodge's side
The company lawyer
Reads every word twice and writes the agreement so the Lodge is protected. Very good at the job.
Owl is careful for the Lodge. Nobody in the meeting is assigned to be careful for Jordan.
The Lodge's side
The template
Collects clauses that worked at other ponds and tucks them into every new agreement, whether or not they fit.
A clause being "standard" does not mean it is the only version possible.
The Lodge's side
The manager
Built the team and liked it. The budget decision was made upstream, and Boss Beaver delivers it.
The decision was about the Lodge's budget, not about Jordan's worth.
The law today
Today's copy rule
Slow, steady and written for a time when everything was on paper. Gives a copy of what you signed, but only if you ask.
California Labor Code 432 gives a copy of a signed employment document upon request.
The guide
The guide (this site)
Explains how things usually work, in plain words, with a checklist in paw. Never tells Jordan what to choose.
General information only. For advice, Ollie points to Badger.
Jordan's side
Your own helper
Legal aid, a lawyer or a tax professional who works for Jordan. Digs into the details and is on Jordan's side.
Free and low-cost help is listed on the help page.
Questions Jordan learns to ask
"We are just gathering some information."
What is this meeting for, is it part of an investigation, and who will see the notes? Many people follow up by email so the answer is in writing.
The same office that rated your work also reviews complaints about the rating.
Who will look at my concern, and who does that person report to? Independence is a fair thing to ask about.
"Your question has been passed along."
Who will answer it, and by when?
"Don't worry, that clause never comes up."
Where does that appear in the text? A promise that matters belongs in the agreement.
A short fable
Harriet the Heron hands Jordan a folder. "This is our standard package. We will need it back by Friday."
Jordan reads it twice and writes one line back: "Thank you. I will review this carefully." Then saves a copy and writes down four dates.
A second file arrives. "Only minor changes." Maple the Magpie has tucked in a new sentence about a second release.
Ollie the Otter shows Jordan how people compare two versions, and how to ask in writing for a list of every change.
Jordan cannot reach the old portal. Old Tortoise can help, but only if Jordan asks. The proposed rules would send the copy by default.
An original fable. All characters and places are fictional and stand for roles, not real people, employers or events. General information about California law, not legal advice.Where to get real help.