🔍 #CareerAdvice #Termination #TuitionRepayment
Hey everyone! 👋 Have any of you been in a situation where you got fired from a job and then were asked to repay tuition reimbursement? I recently received a letter from my former employer stating that I need to repay the education benefit I received while working there. Here’s the kicker – they didn’t mention anything about the company terminating my employment. 🤔
Looking for some guidance on how to navigate this tricky situation. Here are a few thoughts that might help:
- Check the terms of your employment contract or any documents related to tuition reimbursement policies.
- Consider reaching out to HR or a legal professional for clarification on the repayment terms.
- Negotiate a repayment plan that works for both parties, if possible.
Any other tips or insights would be greatly appreciated! Share your thoughts and experiences below. Let’s help each other out. 💡 #Discussion #SupportCommunity
>Feeling a little lost on how to approach this mostly because it states “if an employee terminates” and doesn’t mention anything about employer terminating employment.
I agree with you. I’d tell them to pound sand on this. They drafted the agreement. They chose the words.
They could have written “if your employment is terminated for any reason within two years . . . ” They didn’t. They wrote “If employee terminates”
I think you should point that out to them and refuse to pay it. They can sue you, but I don’t think their case would be strong.
Under contract law an ambiguity in the contract will be construed against the person who wrote the contract.
I’m sure you carefully read that agreement before you signed it and that you knew and under stood that you would have to repay if you resigned or quit. Obviously you wouldn’t quit because you need the money and you can’t afford to repay anything if you have no income.
It doesn’t say anything about what happens if they terminate you.
They knew you were having problems when they hired you and they allowed you to participate in this program. Now they want to terminate you and to receive monetary payments for an obligation that should not be owed under an ambiguous contract at best.
You might check with an attorney. I used to help administer similar programs at a previous employer and signatures were required to participate in the program, meaning that you acknowledged the repayment requirement.
Hello, NAL. I work in HR though. These are usually scare tactic letters to get you to play along.
I’ve worked for 2 companies now who sent these out but never took legal action if the person never paid it back. However, you could work for the one company who takes this seriously.
I’m skeptical as the line you provide says failure to repay will hurt your future rehire ability. This tells me their letter means nothing. You don’t pay them back, they’ll never hire you again.
Depending on how much they paid for your tuition, it may never be worth the legal fees to try and recollect the tuition.
Agree with other posters about them firing you.
Additionally: It also lists the consequence as impacting the rehire eligibility. Have they specifically threatened you with a civil suit?
Employee terminates is super clear and almost certainly intentionally worded. I’ve written contracts like that. It reflects the cost/opportunity cost/risk of you bailing before they receive the beneficial work. Which is fair and reasonable. IF you terminate, which you didn’t. This isn’t miswording, it’s deliberate.
They’re trying to have you on in the hope you’re stupid enough to cave to their demands. Politely reply saying that’s not what the contract says and don’t worry about any legal action as there won’t be any. A) they won’t win B) it would cost them more than it’s worth to even correspond with you via a lawyer let alone go to court.