Do I have to payback my employer the costs of education that were paid by my employer?
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Do I have to payback my employer the costs of education that were paid by my employer?
When I was offered a job my offer letter included that I would stay for 18 months or I would have to repay $5,000 for education/training costs. I have been employed 1 year and am now leaving. I gave my employer 2 weeks notice. How binding is that contract? I known specifically of people who have done the same and have not been asked to repay. Can they legally ask some people to pay it back without asking others?
Asked on March 14, 2016 under Employment Labor Law, Maryland
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 8 years ago | Contributor
1) An agreement to repay training or education costs is, as a general matter, completely legal and enforceable. In terms of your particular situation, any agreement or contract is governed by its specific terms, so you would need to bring the offer letter and any other relevant documentaton to an attorney to review the exact langauge. It is possible that this particular agreement is not binding, based, for example, on how it is written, but again, as a general matter, such agreements are enforceable.
2) There is no obligation whatsoever on an employer to treat all employees the same: they may seek reimbursement from some employees but not others without affecting their right to reimbursement or the enforcability of your agreement.
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