Texas employee receives $2,800 bill from former boss for quitting within 12 months of completing the training program

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  • My employer is demanding i pay back $2,800 in "training costs" after i quit, is this enforceable?

    I put in my two weeks about a month ago, had a better offer lined up and just couldnt say no. Everything seemed fine during the notice period, no drama.
  • A model dressed in business attire cleans the personal belongings on his desk at the office.
  • Then last week i get an email from HR saying i owe the company $2,800 for a "professional development program" i completed back in february. Apparently theres some policy that if you leave within 12 months of completing it they can recoup the cost from you.
  • Thing is i never signed anything specifically about this. Like i went through a standard onboarding packet when i started but nothing stood out as "you will owe us money if you quit." I dont even remember this program being framed as something id be on the hook for.
  • I have some cash but i really dont want to just hand over $2,800 if i dont legally have to, especially without ever agreeing to it in writing.
  • A subject dressed as a businessman looks at a file while standing over his desk.
  • Do they actually have a case here if theres no signed repayment agreement? Should i even be responding to these emails or
  • just wait until i talk to an actual attorney? Trying to figure out if this is a real threat or just them trying to pressure me into paying. Location: Houston, TX
  • A representation of an employee reading pertinent information on his laptop at work.
  • _Reluctant_⚫ To start just ask for a copy of the signed document stating what they are accusing / asking you for.
  • king_Seth ⚫ A company did this to my wife. She didn't sign anything. They tried to get her to sign it after. Hahaha. She said tell my lawyer. Read what you did sign. Go from there. Godspeed.
  • A photo depicting a man in corporate attire looking alarmed at his phone while sitting at his desk with his laptop open.
  • xaturnascends · • It's called a TRA, or Training Reimbursement Agreement and they are very common in certain industries. I use TRAS to attempt to avoid hiring someone who is soley interested in me paying for training/licensing/certificatio ns for them to leave within a short period of time.
  • In my industry, licensing requires a sponsoring firm and multiple examinations over an extended period of time. It costs many thousands in study materials, exam fees, paid
  • wages to study and other expenses, for someone to up and quit once they've completed the licensing. Fortunately, I haven't had to enforce a TRA yet, but the TRA and expectations about training are clearly set during the hiring process and during training.
  • If they have threatened enforcement of a TRA, both the company and you should have a signed copy from your initial hiring paperwork.
  • They may not be interested in enforcing it if you are not staying within the industry or working for a competitor,
  • but you should have a discussion with them to find out if there is signed paperwork.

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