2-18-621. Unlawful termination -- unlawful payments. (1) It is unlawful for an employer to terminate or separate an employee from employment in an attempt to circumvent the provisions of 2-18-611, 2-18-612, and 2-18-614. If a question arises under this subsection, it must be submitted to arbitration as provided in Title 27, chapter 5, as if an agreement described in 27-5-114 is in effect, unless there is an applicable collective bargaining agreement to the contrary.

(2) (a) An employee who terminates employment is entitled to receive only:

(i) payments for accumulated wages, vacation leave as provided in 2-18-617, sick leave as provided in 2-18-618, and compensatory time earned as provided in the rules or policies of the employer; and

(ii) if the termination is the result of a reduction in force, severance pay and a retraining allowance as provided for in 2-18-622.

(b) An employee who terminates employment may not receive severance pay, a bonus, or any other type of monetary payment not described in subsection (2)(a)(i) or (2)(a)(ii).

(3) Subsection (2) does not apply to:

(a) retirement benefits;

(b) a payment, settlement, award, or judgment that involves a potential or actual cause of action, legal dispute, claim, grievance, contested case, or lawsuit; or

(c) any other payment authorized by law.