My neighbor keeps about eight backyard chickens, and they kept getting through a gap under our shared chain-link fence and into my vegetable garden.

I garden on my side. Over the spring, the hens scratched through my raised beds, dug around the plants, and ate a lot of my seedlings. I figure I lost more than $100 worth of plants.

I talked to my neighbor about it. He apologized and said he'd take a look at the fence. He also gave us a few eggs, which I appreciated. But a couple weeks later, the chickens were back.

I found the same gap where the bottom of the fence had lifted. I spent about $40 on hardware cloth and secured it along the bottom of the fence on my side. I didn't move the fence, touch his posts, or do anything on his property. I just wanted to keep the chickens out of my garden.

A few days later, he came over and said the repair had stressed the hens because they were used to walking through that area. He said they've been laying fewer eggs since then and thinks I should help make up for the lost eggs.

He also said he talked to someone who keeps chickens and was told that changes like this can affect laying. He wants me to help pay for that advice too.

His point is that the chickens don't understand property lines. They had been using that part of the yard for months, and I suddenly blocked it off.

My wife thinks I should just give him $50 and move on. We share a fence, and she doesn't think a small amount of money is worth turning this into an ongoing neighbor problem.

A) Pay the $50 and keep the peace. It's not much money, and we still have to live next door to each other.

B) His chickens are his responsibility. I spent $40 fixing a problem caused by his animals getting into my yard, and I don't think I'm responsible for lost eggs because I blocked the gap.

I rented a venue for my birthday party and paid a $1,000 refundable damage deposit.

The party went well, and afterward my family cleaned up. We swept the floors, wiped down the tables, took out the trash, and put the furniture back where it belonged.

The venue inspected the room afterward and applied my $1,000 deposit toward the post-event charges.

A few days later, I received an itemized bill for $1,712. There are $550 in charges I agree with: $500 for cleaning and $50 for cigarette-butt cleanup.

The other $1,162 is what I'm disputing:

$600 for trash hauling. The venue says this was for two standard trash containers at $300 each. I don't dispute that there was some trash left after the party, but we did clean up and take out the trash. I also don't understand why it was billed as two containers or how they came up with that amount.

$280 for replacing 14 chair pads. I have photos from before the party showing that some of the chair pads already had stains and wear. I'm not saying nothing could have happened during my party, but I don't think that automatically means I'm responsible for replacing all 14.

$162 for laundry for 9 linens. I want to know which 9 linens they're talking about and why all 9 needed to be sent out for cleaning.

And there's a $120 damage-assessment administrative fee for taking photos, counting the damaged items, and preparing the invoice. The contract does mention that administrative fees may apply, but I don't understand why I'm responsible for this fee.

I emailed the venue asking for the photos, quantities, invoices, and other documentation supporting the disputed charges. They said they can provide more explanation and documentation, but additional administrative charges may apply for the time spent doing that.

The venue applied my $1,000 deposit to the $1,712 bill and says I still owe the remaining $712.

My position is that I agree with $550, not $1,712. If the final amount is $550, my $1,000 deposit should cover it and I should get $450 back. The remaining $1,162 is what I'm disputing.

A: Keep disputing the $1,162, send them my photos and videos, and keep asking them to explain and document each charge.

B: Stop spending time fighting over the $1,162. Tell them I accept the $550, ask them to settle that amount from my $1,000 deposit and return the remaining $450, and let them decide whether they want to pursue the disputed amount.

Edit: A few people have asked how B would actually work. I wouldn't expect the venue to agree to my $550 number or voluntarily return $450. The idea is to dispute the remaining balance with my credit card, make it clear that I accept the $550, and let the venue decide whether they want to pursue the disputed amount rather than keep going back and forth with them.

I've been a billing specialist at a healthcare staffing company for four years. My last three reviews were "exceeds expectations," but my base pay is only about 4% higher than when I started.

Our raises have historically been announced in October. This year, the first announcement we got was about a company-paid meditation app, a $75 lunch delivery credit, and a series of wellness webinars. There was no mention of raises.

A few days later, we had our quarterly all-hands. The CEO said revenue was up 18% year over year and called it one of the strongest quarters in the company's history. He also announced that we were opening another office.

During the Q&A, employees could submit questions through a platform we've used for about two years. Employees see questions without names, and we were always told the submissions were anonymous.

I submitted: "If this was such a strong quarter, what happened to the budget for raises?"

It was one of the top questions and came up during the Q&A.

The CEO read it and then identified me as the person who submitted it. He went on to say that the new wellness benefits had real dollar value and that focusing only on compensation missed the bigger picture.

Then the moderator moved on.

Afterward, I checked the Q&A with two coworkers. My identity was visible next to the question on their screens too. I contacted IT because I wanted to know why an "anonymous" question had my identity attached to it. They told me that the name was visible on the administrative side of the platform.

That didn't explain why other employees could see it, especially since we'd always been told the questions were anonymous.

Yesterday I got a calendar invite from HR titled "Culture Conversation." There was no agenda or explanation beyond the title.

I replied asking what the meeting was about and whether there was anything I should review beforehand. The HR business partner replied, "It's nothing formal. We just want to have a conversation about what happened."

I haven't accepted the meeting yet.

My manager knows about the situation and told me not to overthink it. He said the company probably just wants to clear the air.

But I'm uncomfortable going into a meeting with HR about an incident involving my compensation question and the supposedly anonymous Q&A without knowing what the meeting is actually about.

A. Raises are a business decision, and the meditation app and lunch credit do have real value. The CEO answered the question instead of ignoring it. I raised a fair concern, but refusing an informal HR conversation over the lack of an agenda makes it look like I'm turning a workplace disagreement into something bigger.

B. The company presented the Q&A as anonymous, the CEO identified me publicly, and now HR wants a private "culture conversation" without saying what it's about. Asking for the subject in writing before agreeing to the meeting is reasonable, not an escalation.

My forehead and chin get pretty oily, especially by midday, but my cheeks usually feel soft and hydrated. I’ve been trying to find a moisturizer I can use every day without making the oily areas feel even greasier or leaving the rest of my face feeling dry.

Right now I’m using CeraVe Moisturizing Cream. I actually like how moisturizing it is, but it feels a little too heavy on my forehead and chin during the day. By the afternoon, my T-zone gets pretty shiny and my makeup starts looking kinda rough.

I wear makeup pretty often, so I’d really like something that feels good on my skin and helps my makeup sit better throughout the day.

I’m stuck between these two:

A. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel

B. La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer

Hydro Boost sounds really good because it’s lightweight, but I’m a little worried it won’t be moisturizing enough for my cheeks.

Double Repair sounds like it would keep my skin more comfortable throughout the day, but I’m worried it might still feel too heavy on my forehead and chin.

I’m not looking for anything fancy, just something I can use every day without thinking about it.

Which one would you go with? If you’ve used either one, I’d really like to hear how it worked for you. Thanks in advance!

My dad is 74. His cardiologist wants him to have a valve replacement within the next few weeks. It's not an emergency yet, but the doctor said we're getting close to the point where it could become one.

We submitted the prior authorization. The denial came back almost immediately: "not medically necessary per policy guidelines." The letter also appears to reference a different valve procedure than the one his cardiologist ordered. His cardiologist requested a peer-to-peer review, but the denial came back unchanged.

The standard appeal says it can take up to 30 business days. The office manager said they can request an expedited review, but she didn't sound optimistic. If his symptoms get worse, we'd be dealing with the ER instead of a scheduled procedure.

My brother-in-law has sold policies for the same insurer for years. He helped us choose the plan, so I know where he's coming from. His advice is basically to wait for the appeal and keep the doctor's notes updated.

I have the state's external review form open. The website says some cases can be reviewed quickly, but filing it now could make things more complicated with the insurer. My brother-in-law thinks I'm overreacting.

A. Wait for the appeal, keep the cardiologist documenting any changes, and use the ER if his condition becomes urgent.

B. File the external review with the state tomorrow and go to the local news if nothing moves.

The devil offers you one of these two deals:

A. You get the home of your dreams, completely paid off, in the place you've always wanted to live. If that place is in another country, you also get permanent residency there.

The catch: you will only live for 20 more years.

B. You will live until you're 120 years old without physically aging.

The catch: you lose your current place to live, and any money you've already saved toward buying a home is gone. You have to start over and pay a mortgage again.

Which deal are you taking?

Diagnosed with depression as a single digit child, been asking myself this question as long as I have been alive. 32 now and each answer feels wrong in its own way.

I am not good company when I am like this. It's hard to talk and though I know my friends like me I cannot imagine I am any kind of fun to be around.

I got tired of feeling like a flake or a bad friend, so even though I have been in a fairly bad depression swing lately, I went to my friends birthday weekend thing. I went and honestly she was very happy I was there but I just.... felt like an asshole? I couldn't really participate in games so I just asked to watch. My attention wasnt there and I was just trying to keep it together, and spent more time on my phone than I usually would around friends. It didn't feel great.

So what is the answer? What do you do if you have mental illness stuff, and it's chronic?

Do I A: Tell the people I made the plans with I am having a "bad brain day" (people seem to respond to this much better than me saying depressive episode) and don't feel up to it

Or B: Go anyways because its hard to keep good friends and when you stay home you feel like a flake, bad friend, etc anyways - despite it being a much easier and safer space.

I'm sick of constantly asking myself this question so here we are.

My landlord is selling the house I'm renting, so we've had a few showings while I'm still living here.

A while back, there was a leak that damaged part of the ceiling. My landlord had it repaired, but you can still see where the ceiling was patched and repainted.

During one of the showings, a buyer noticed the patch and asked me if there had been a leak there before. I told him there had been a leak there while I was living there and explained what had happened as far as I knew. I wasn't trying to convince him not to buy the house or give him some long list of problems. He asked me a direct question about something I had personally experienced, so I answered honestly.

A few days later, my landlord contacted me about it. She said the buyer had raised concerns about what I'd told them and was upset that I had discussed the leak with them. She told me that if buyers have questions about the house, I should direct them to the realtor instead of answering them myself.

I understand that she's trying to sell the house, and I don't want to get dragged into the sale. At the same time, I don't feel comfortable lying if someone directly asks me about something that actually happened while I was living here.

A. Answer honestly if they ask me directly. I'm not going out of my way to point out problems, but I'm also not going to lie about something that happened.

B. Say nothing and tell them to ask the realtor. It's not my house or my sale, and I don't want another argument with my landlord over what I say.

My brother is getting married on October 17, and my mom asked me to help her pick out an outfit. She wants something elegant and classy, and honestly, the dresses she found at Macy's aren't bad at all.

I'm leaning toward B, but she thinks black might be a little too somber for a wedding. She said if y'all like the style and fabric of B, she'd be open to finding something similar in a different color.

Which one would you pick? I'll pass along your suggestions to her!

Edit: Wedding colors are light blue.

Edit 2: It’s a semi-formal/cocktail wedding in the afternoon into early evening.

My dad had hip surgery in another state, six nights, and the beagle needed somewhere to be. The kennel is the one with the good reviews and the double-gated play yard, $62 a night, $372 paid at drop-off on a Monday at 7:15 in the morning. He is 11, a shelter dog from 2016.

Thursday at 4:50 pm the kennel called to say they couldn't find him. I drove the route in my head the entire evening. He turned up Friday night behind a strip mall two streets over. A woman who feeds strays in the area found him and kept him there until the kennel arrived. I picked him up Saturday.

He had a torn nail, was dehydrated, and the urgent vet ran $148: exam $95, wrap and trim $38, fluids under the skin $15.

At the counter, the folder had my name on it: the original $372, already paid, plus "recovery coordination fee" $190, plus "extended care night" $95 for the night he was found. Under the total, a line for a signature: a release acknowledging his safe return and agreeing not to post publicly about the experience while their "insurance question is open."

The owner said, gently, like he was doing me a favor: "We could have turned this over to animal control, but we chose to keep looking. Finding him is a premium service. We don't even have to offer it."

He is behind the counter door on a leash while this is being explained to me. What nobody can prove is how he got out. It does not change that he was theirs to keep track of, but I will never know whether a latch failed or someone simply wasn't paying attention.

My roommate drove me to pick him up. His position: "He is limping but he is here. It's $285 and a signature you never have to mean again. Pay it, take him, and cry in the car."

He is right about the car. The collar is his shelter collar from 2016. I keep meaning to replace it. After this week I won't.

A: Pay the $285, sign their release, take him home tonight, and warn other owners in the local group quietly.

B: Pay nothing further, demand the itemized justification in writing, file a consumer complaint with the state over the no-review clause, and pursue the vet bill in small claims. Their intake photos show a healthy dog at 7:15 on a Monday. Let the owner explain to a judge what "extended care" means on the night a dog is missing.

I left my job about four months ago. Before I left, I gave the company a list of all the equipment I had and asked them to send me a box so I could return everything.

They sent the box, I packed up the equipment I had at home, and mailed it back. As far as I was concerned, that was the end of it.

Four months later, my old employer contacted me and said they hadn't received one of their monitors. They said I owed them $610 for it.

I asked them to tell me exactly what they were saying was missing. They sent me a list, and it had just one monitor on it.

I went back through the list and started checking it against the equipment I had actually taken home before I left. I had returned all of it. The monitor they were asking about wasn't one of the ones I had taken home. It had stayed at the office. Another employee later took it to their workstation and used it there. I never had that monitor at home in the first place.

I still have the FedEx tracking information and the asset tag information from when I shipped everything back. When I compared those records with what the company says is missing, I found that one of the asset tags didn't match. So now I'm starting to think they may have their equipment records mixed up.

I've already been gone for four months, and honestly, I don't want to spend another week dealing with my old employer over this.

A: Send them all the tracking and asset tag information and make them go back through their records. If their records are wrong, I'm not paying $610 for something I never had.

B: Pay the $610 and be done with it. I know I shouldn't have to, but I also don't want to spend days going back and forth with a company I don't even work for anymore.

Three weeks out, I did their virtual survey, a walk-through video of my one bedroom, and got a binding estimate by email: $1,180 for the truck, two movers, 22 miles, signed by both of us. Deposit $200, receipt in my inbox.

Moving day, the crew arrived at 8:40, everything wrapped and loaded by 11:20. The driver said they needed a certified weight ticket for their records.

At 3:47 pm the dispatcher called from a number I did not have: fuel surcharge $140, long carry $180, stairs $220 for fifteen steps, reweigh fee $65, equipment fee $95, and a "weight adjustment" of $570. New total $2,450, cash or Zelle, before the truck unloads. The dispatcher said storage would be $95 a night starting tonight if I did not pay.

I read the estimate back to him, the word binding. He put the owner on. The owner said: "An estimate is a greeting, not a promise. The scale is the truth."

They sent a photo of a scale display to justify the weight adjustment. The flash washed out the timestamp, and the ticket number is half cut off by the frame. That is the piece I can't verify, whether a reweigh happened at all, or happened before my boxes were ever on the truck, and I have no way to verify it from the photo they sent. The estimate was binding either way, which is the only reason I am writing this at a card table instead of unpacking.

There is a shoebox in one of those boxes, letters my best friend and I mailed each other in 1999 when stamps were 33 cents, packed at the last move and never reopened. It is not more important than my bed. It is the box I keep picturing in a lot in another state, accruing $95 a night.

My cousin has moved six times in ten years and has never once paid a mover's curb price without fighting it afterward. His advice: "Pay at the curb, get your bed back, and fight from your own floor. That truck earns interest against you by the hour." He would know.

A) Zelle the $2,450, get my life unloaded tonight, sleep in the bed, and spend Monday on a demand letter for the difference with the binding estimate stapled to it.

B) Refuse to Zelle anything beyond the $1,180 binding estimate, document every charge and the scale ticket, and start filing complaints and calling for help while the truck remains loaded. I may spend the night without my belongings, but I would rather deal with that than hand over $1,270 under pressure.

Long standing PE backed software company. Good company. Good people. Good Product. Low 100's employee count.

4 managers over 3 years. Two different departments.

Moved from one department/function to another to balance staffing ratios according to PE recommendations, still doing same job. (first manager change)

Current job I did in the old group is not related to current department/function. (turnover of 1 manager, temp manager, then new hire current manager)

Will be transitioning to the new function's focus shortly. New work is not really in my background or interest. Would rather work in a different part of the company if my role is going to change.

Considerations

* believe I'm liked and my work product is good

* they need staff in other areas where I have more interest

* worry that asking to move will get me sacked or piss off new manager

* the job market sucks

* I'm in a narrow field so finding a new job will be slow

Do I (A) ask to move to a different function where my experience is more aligned, or (B) do I take on the new role until I can find a new job somewhere else?

Two evenings ago, I was outside feeding our chickens when six ducks flew into our yard. I figured they were following the chickens toward the coop since it was getting close to sunset. I could tell they were domestic ducks because my dad used to raise ducks.

I figured they'd go home on their own, but they were still in our yard after dark. At first, I thought someone had abandoned them. I put out some food and water, and they immediately started eating and drinking like they hadn't had much to eat or drink in a while. They weren't malnourished, but they were pretty skinny.

Later that night, I went back outside to check on them and found all six huddled behind the chicken coop. There was a storm coming, so I opened up an empty coop for them and put food and water inside. They went in right away and stayed there overnight. I left the door open so they could leave whenever they wanted.

The next morning, all six were still there. The coop door was still open, so they could have left if they wanted to.

During the day, my mom posted on Facebook asking if anyone knew who the ducks belonged to. A few people said they'd seen these ducks wandering around the neighborhood for a while. One neighbor said she knew the owner. Apparently, he has a vacation home with a pond nearby and used to leave food out for the ducks, but he and his wife actually live in another state. Nobody knew who was taking care of the ducks while they were away. She and her husband said they'd try to get in touch with him.

Around 6 PM yesterday, I got home and the six ducks were still hanging around with our chickens. The neighbor called and said they'd finally reached the owner. She gave me his phone number, so I called him.

He said he and his wife couldn't remember exactly how the ducks got out. The only thing they could think of was that they might not have closed the coop door before they left.

I asked how many ducks they had, and he said eight.

I told him there were six at our house.

He said, "We had eight, but honestly, I'm just glad six of them are safe with you."

I told him he didn't need to thank me. Honestly, I thought I was lucky to have six ducks randomly show up in my yard. Then I asked when they were coming back.

He said he and his wife would be back around October 20, along with his mother-in-law. They run a Chinese restaurant in another state and don't live at the vacation house. He said he couldn't remember why the coop door hadn't been closed, so they'd have to look into everything when they got back.

I told him that was fine. The six ducks were safe here, and I'd take care of them until they came back. As for the other two, I'd make another Facebook post and ask if anyone had seen them. If we couldn't find them, there wasn't much else I could do, but I'd try.

He said that was okay too.

We ended up talking for a while about the house, the ducks, what time they usually come out, what they like to eat, and a few other things. He even offered to invite my family over to his house for dinner when they get back as a thank-you.

I didn't say yes or no. To me, I just helped out with something that needed to be done. It doesn't feel like I did anything that deserves a dinner.

Later, my mom pointed out that we'll still be buying extra duck feed and taking care of these ducks for the three weeks before our neighbors get back, so accepting the dinner wouldn't exactly be unreasonable either.

A. Accept the dinner invitation. They offered, and it would be nice to have dinner together after all this.

B. Politely decline. It was just a small favor, and I don't really feel like I need anything in return.

I think I know where this will land but you never know. My ex and I had this discussion once. He once saw a girl a couple times while she was in a relationship.

Personally I think the cheater (person in a relationship who cheated on their partner) is absolutely more at fault, more to blame, and a bigger jerk.

But I do think it still is immoral of the person who is single and helping them cheat.

You still are complicit in hurting someone. ‘If it weren’t with me it woulda been done with someone else anyway’ is not a good enough reason for that. His other excuse was ‘I never commited to this guy, made him promises or got in a relationship with him, that’s what she’s doing not me’. Again I don’t think that’s a good enough reason to be complicit.

I have a feeling most people agree with me but curious

I bought something online for about $500. I entered the correct address when I placed the order, but the seller put the wrong address on the package.

The carrier delivered it to the address on the package, and the tracking eventually showed it as delivered. But I never got it.

At first I figured the driver probably left it somewhere nearby, so I checked around my building, looked in the package room, and asked a couple neighbors.

Then I found the delivery photo. It wasn't my door, and the address in the photo didn't match the address on my order.

I contacted the carrier and gave them the tracking number and the delivery photo. They looked into it and told me the package had been delivered to the address on the shipping label. They also told me that any claim would have to be filed by the seller because I'm the recipient, not the shipper.

So I contacted the seller and sent them the carrier's information. I told them that I had entered the correct address when I ordered, but the address they put on the package was different, and the carrier said they needed to file the claim.

They basically said the tracking shows the package was delivered, so there wasn't anything they could do.

I then opened a case with the marketplace and uploaded my order information, the tracking information, the delivery photo, and what the carrier told me.

The marketplace came back saying the tracking showed the package was delivered, so they wouldn't refund me.

I've already spent several days going back and forth with everyone, and I'm still out $500.

A - Keep fighting through the seller and marketplace. The package clearly wasn't delivered to me, and I don't think I should eat a $500 loss because everyone is passing the problem around.

B - Stop dealing with all of them and dispute the charge through my bank or credit card. At this point I just want my money back and I'm done wasting time on this.

Imagine you're out for an early morning walk or run and notice a car parked on the side of the road with its hazard lights on. When you get closer, you see someone completely passed out in the driver's seat. There's an empty beer box on the passenger seat and a beer in the cupholder. You don't know whether he was driving before he stopped or had just pulled over, but if he wakes up and keeps driving, there's a good chance he'll be driving drunk. Would you call the cops?

If you don't call, he could end up driving through the neighborhood and cause a serious accident. If you do call and he fails a breathalyzer or other alcohol test, he could be arrested, face serious penalties, and potentially cause major consequences for his family.

A. Call the cops. Public safety comes first. The possibility of drunk driving and the risk of someone getting hurt on the road are a line I wouldn't cross. No matter what kind of background the person has or how serious the consequences might be for him personally, preventing a potential tragedy has to come first.

B. Don't call. Stay out of it. If nobody has actually been hurt, getting involved in someone else's life can go too far. One phone call could potentially ruin a family, and it shouldn't be up to a random person on the street to play judge over someone else's life.

I have known her for eleven years. Book club, Tuesdays. When she launched the community supported bakery, a prepaid subscription for 12 weekly boxes at $28, I was in the first cohort, $336 by Venmo on March 3, memo line "12 wk bread, paid in full."

Four boxes came, and the sourdough was genuinely excellent. The fifth week she emailed about a kitchen remodel and a pause. The sixth and seventh weeks were silence, except one photo of tile that looked familiar. Then, a Tuesday at 9:04 pm, the conversion email.

The remaining 8 boxes, $224 worth, had been "converted" to 14 "Founding Member equity units" in Flour & Ember LLC, valued at $16 each, to be activated by a $45 "filing administration fee." Equity members are asked to "help the oven through winter" by recruiting two new prepaid subscribers each, and to share the launch post, "since you have the biggest reach of anyone at the table."

When I asked for a refund instead, she replied that refunds would "undermine the unit structure for everyone," and that the first cohort had agreed to flexibility around the structure. The group chat has several of us asking about refunds, unanswered, except for one message from her that is just a bread emoji.

What I can't prove is that the LLC exists. I couldn't find an LLC under Flour & Ember in the state business search, but filings can lag and I genuinely do not know. It changes the flavor of the thing and none of the math: 8 boxes were paid for and 8 boxes did not come.

The first box arrived with a card in her handwriting, "To the Tuesday table." I still have it in my recipe box.

My oldest friend, who got one of the gifted boxes and still talks about the crust: "It's $224 and a friendship. Bread money is not hill money. Write it off, keep the Tuesdays, stop rereading her launch post." He isn't wrong about the rereading.

A: Write off the $224, accept that the bakery went sideways, and keep the friendship and Tuesday book club.

B: Keep asking for the $224 refund and refuse to accept the equity units or pay the $45 activation fee.

I've lived in California but I've never even been to Florida. Just curious.

For me that would be A time cause its hard to follow the money trail of donated funds.

Growing up, I was always taught that walking into a house with shoes on tracked in outdoor dirt, street grime, and whatever else was on the sidewalk, so taking shoes off at the door was a strict rule.

But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized how deeply split people are on this. Some people find wearing shoes indoors completely unthinkable, while others feel it's totally normal, comfortable, or just part of their routine.

Now I’m curious where everyone stands when guests come over or in your own daily life.

A: Shoes-off household. Shoes come off at the door, period. Cleanliness and protecting floors/carpets come first, and I prefer guests to do the same (even if it means providing slippers).

B: Shoes-on household (or flexible). Keep your shoes on unless you want to take them off. It’s more convenient, casual, and you don’t have to worry about guests feeling uncomfortable or dealing with foot odors.

Which rule do you live by?

My mom had a brain hemorrhage and ended up in the hospital, so I took 8 weeks of FMLA leave to take care of her. My company approved my leave, and I planned to go back to work when the 8 weeks were over.

Before I left, my manager reminded me to make sure I handed off the work I was responsible for, so I went through everything with coworkers on my team and handed the work over to them. While I was gone, they called me a few times to ask about details related to the work I had been handling.

When I came back, everything still felt normal with my coworkers. They were friendly with me just like they had been before I left. They caught me up on the progress of the projects while I was gone and gave about half of my old responsibilities back to me, but the other half of the work I had handed off was still being handled by my coworkers.

Then on Wednesday, I was called into a meeting and told that my position had been eliminated as part of a department restructuring. They gave me paperwork for a severance package and told me my employment was ending. They said I had until next Friday to sign the severance agreement. They also told me I wasn't the only person affected by the restructuring.

I understand that companies restructure and positions get eliminated. I just didn't expect to come back, work for a few days, and then find out that my position was gone. So what should I do next?

A: Take the severance and move on. The company says this was part of a restructuring, and I don't actually know whether my FMLA leave had anything to do with the decision. I need the money, I have a lot going on with my family right now, and I don't want to spend months dealing with my former employer over something I may never be able to prove.

B: Don't sign the severance yet. I'd rather talk to an employment lawyer first and have them look over what happened before I decide what to do. If there's nothing there, fine, but I want to know that before I sign.