Posting this for a friend who needs advice. I'll try to cover what I can, so apologies now for any confusion.
Their company had them sign a contract that states they pay back the sign-on bonus if they leave before 6 months of employment (added the snippet from the contract below). Is there a way they can get out of paying back that $$?
Contract states: As an Administrative Assistant, you will receive an initial salary of $45,000.00 per annum. You will be entitled to a signing bonus equal to $5,000 (the “Signing Bonus”). The Signing Bonus will be paid to you no later than 30 days following your start date of April 2022 (est. May 6, 2022, your second paycheck). You must be employed by the Company at the time of payment of the Signing Bonus in order to receive the Signing Bonus. If you leave employment with the Company on your own accord for any reason prior to your 6 month anniversary of the Start Date, you will promptly repay the Signing Bonus to the Company.
A few experiences leading up to their reason to leave:
“I asked my VP for a cost of living raise they told me no, and that they can’t afford it. A week later I saw a incoming meeting request from the VP to my CEO (they forget I see all incoming meetings) and told the CEO he needs to approve his cost of living raise. I was fuming that day.”
“I really don’t want to pay it back, and they honestly do not deserve it back. I know I signed a contract but the way the company treated me, I am so over it!”
“You know the ceo asked me to come in after office hours to take care of everything while I had Covid”
“There was also a time where my CEO reported me to HR that I wasn’t coming into the office. I had asked them the day before if it was okay if I worked from home and they told me yes. Next day I get a call from the VP as well as the head of HR questioning me. HR basically told me my CEO told them I wasn’t coming in. So I guess their yes actually meant no.”
Any advice, whether it's to avoid paying the sign on bonus or anything else, is so appreciated!!!