Can a company continue to use your name and email after you have been retired?

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Can a company continue to use your name and email after you have been retired?

I worked for 20+ years for my family’s business. They retired me last month so their kids could have my job. They have kept my email and I am sure monitor it and one person’s email shows my name as sender. Is there any way I can legally make them stop? I just want this ALL behind me. I truly want nothing to do with the company in the future but can’t with these things still hanging on.

Asked on January 22, 2012 under Employment Labor Law, Michigan

Answers:

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 12 years ago | Contributor

No, they may not legally do this; a person has the right to control the use of his or her name (and likeness); in addition, it is illegal to misrepresent yourself as another person.

If your email was a company-provided address, they may leave it open for incoming mail--e.g. for business contacts who will send messages to you, not knowing that you are no longer there. But they cannot reply as you or other represent themselves as you.

If they will not voluntarily cease doing this, you could, if necessary, bring a legal action for a court order (injunction) requiring them to stop.


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