Former Groupon employees file countersuit claiming harassment for joining Google

In a countersuit former Groupon Inc sales representatives have sued their former employer for launching a ''sham'' litigation to keep them from joining rivals.

Groupon, which runs the world's largest coupon website has accused former employees, Nikki Dorough, Brian Hanna and Michael Nolan of taking confidential trade secrets while moving to Google.

The largest internet company launched its own daily deals business early last year.

According to the workers Groupon, by filing its complaint on 21 October, was using illegal means to stifle competition and bully workers, as it prepared to "cash in" through its upcoming, eagerly awaited initial public offering.

"In its stop-at-nothing strategy to take itself public and further enrich its founders, Groupon has crossed the line," the workers said. "The message is clear: don't leave Groupon and if you do, don't attempt to use any of the skills and experience you may have developed while working for us."

According to the workers they were in their mid-20s and had made independent decisions to join Google. They filed the countersuit on Wednesday in the Cook County Circuit Court in Illinois, where Groupon had originally sued.