i am currently on OPT which will expire on 01/14/2010. i filed I-765 with my I-485 family based green card application (spouse is US citizen) last year. The receipt date was 11/23/2009. The I-765 application is not yet approved. i already have my biometrics taken. i also submitted my birth certificate per their Request for Evidence. but according to the egov tracker, my case is still under "Initial Review". With the new I-765 EAD pending, can i continue my current employment after the OPT expires on 1/14? my employer really wants me to continue working, but we don't want to do anything illegal. Can i remain on the company's payroll? or does the company need to terminate all my paper work including benefit?

thank you for your help!