I'm about to sign up for a certificate program for work. The class is a little over $5k, our tuition program says that if you leave < 6 months after reimbursement that money is owed to the company. So what does that mean in real life? Last paycheck and vacation time is kept?

I think it simply means you would be charged the price of the class, however much that was. They'd probably send you a bill if you didn't have back pay to cover it.

flashguy

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
This

My son had his company write a $60,000 check to pay for his MBA. He had to sign a contract to stay for 2 years after he graduated or pay the whole amount back.

My last employer paid my moving expenses. Same deal. Two years.

Same for me. Stay for 36 months or pay full amount back. Basically a promissory note.

Several years ago the grandaughter while working for Walgreen"s was offered paid tuition for attending pharmacy technician class. No payback required and no contract time line to stay after completion and certification. She was the only graduate out of 35 in her class. Guess the others only looking to get away from store work. About a year later when Walgreen" took over K & B the work load became unbearable and she would be a floating/traveling pharmancy tech for the entire state of Louisiana so she told them to go pound sand and went to work for another pharmancy in less than 24hrs and less than 50 yards distance away. .................... drill sgt.

quote:

Originally posted by Skins2881:
I'm about to sign up for a certificate program for work. The class is a little over $5k, our tuition program says that if you leave < 6 months after reimbursement that money is owed to the company. So what does that mean in real life? Last paycheck and vacation time is kept?

I think that's pretty reasonable.

My company has a 3 year policy but reduces by a percentage each year after the completion of the education.

.

quote:

Originally posted by maxxpower:

quote:

Originally posted by Skins2881:
I'm about to sign up for a certificate program for work. The class is a little over $5k, our tuition program says that if you leave < 6 months after reimbursement that money is owed to the company. So what does that mean in real life? Last paycheck and vacation time is kept?

I think that's pretty reasonable.

My company has a 3 year policy but reduces by a percentage each year after the completion of the education.

.

I'm not planning on leaving, especially in the short term. I was just hoping this is one of those things like a no compete clause that has no teeth. Recruiters reach out to me all the time and offer large increases in pay, just wanted the flexibility to take them up if a perfect opportunity comes up.

Maybe I should just count my blessings that mine seems to be a rather loose requirement compared to others. Worse case scenario, if a perfect opportunity comes up within six months, I'll ask for signing bonus to offset or just take the hit.

My company had tuition reimbursement that worked pretty well. You paid for your classes up front and at the end of the semester you turned in your grades or cert of completion and they gave you the money on your check. There was a window of 2 weeks to turn in your grades or you S O L on the money, don't ask me how I know. Otherwise it was a sweet deal.

If they fire you, you don't have to pay the money back, so if you want to take a new, job just get yourself fired from the current job. I'm sure you can think of a creative way to get fired.

On the other hand, deliberately trying to get yourself fired might result in a promotion instead.

Seriously, some prospective employers may be willing to pay the IOU for you. I've not heard of any specific case where someone left, didn't pay and got sued, nor I have I heard of anyone actually paying. It would be interesting to hear about actual cases.

quote:

Originally posted by Skins2881:
I'm about to sign up for a certificate program for work. The class is a little over $5k, our tuition program says that if you leave < 6 months after reimbursement that money is owed to the company. So what does that mean in real life? Last paycheck and vacation time is kept?

I think that's just to pause some people. If you think about it, most companies don't have a process to invoice their employees. At worst, they can withhold your vacation and last paycheck and maybe ask you for the rest.

If the company lays you off or fires you, you wouldn't be liable.

I encourage everyone who can to take tuition assistance. My MBA was fully funded by my company and my bachelors and second masters was partially funded. They were partially funded as I switched jobs during those schooling.

USAF paid for my MSIE degree (and full pay while a student). I was required to stay 2 years afterward to be eligible. (I did--I retired 11 years later.)

flashguy

If you leave that job, and your last paycheck and unused vacation time doesn't cover the bill, couldn't they 1099 you for the remaining balance?

quote:

Originally posted by smithbc:
If you leave that job, and your last paycheck and unused vacation time doesn't cover the bill, couldn't they 1099 you for the remaining balance?

Yes. They can also hand it over a collection agency. I’ve seen both for unpaid corporate travel card balances and unreturned company equipment.

quote:

Originally posted by blueye:

My company had tuition reimbursement that worked pretty well. You paid for your classes up front and at the end of the semester you turned in your grades or cert of completion and they gave you the money on your check.

I had that type of deal too, from a company that I worked for way back in the early 1970s.

The tuition reimbursement was keyed to the grade earned for the course: 100% for an 'A', 80% for a 'B', etc.

My employer has over the psst 6 years paid over $10,000 for me to be trained in firearms.... the only problem is ... I work for myself.

I guess if I quit... I'll have to pay myself back?