My question involves labor and employment law for the state of: SC
I was fired on Friday. No notice, no warnings, no discussions. No reason given beyond "just not a good fit". Small, family-run company with no real employee handbook. I had a few "flubs" but none were fireable offenses, and I'm still new, still learning. My direct boss never made any statement that let me know I was about to be fired. The president of the company did the firing. I've only been there 4 months. They gave me the termination agreement to sign (I don't think they're required to give me a severance) and said if I signed it, they'd pay me for the rest of the month, but if I don't, I only get paid through Friday. Termination agreement has all the standard "won't sue, won't disparage" etc.
He also said, "When you're applying for unemployment, you can call this a layoff or resignation and I'll sign off on that."
So isn't that asking me to lie on the application? He's not a nice man, and I'm worried that if I go against what he said and am truthful on the application, he won't approve it, or will make up some false story to make it so they don't have to pay me unemployment.
I'm torn - sign the form, take the money and stay away from each other forever (and worry that if I talk to a friend about the situation and someone over hears me I'm going to get sued), or not sign the form, be out the money (that we kind of need, but we'll be okay, won't be destitute) and then worry myself to death that I will be denied unemployment?
Something seems fishy to me. I have never been fired before so this is new.

