Minnesota to get that out of the way, and also sorry for mobil formatting.
My ex employer gave me a loan before a medical procedure that left me unable to walk much for months to help me when I wouldn't be able to work. We had a verbal agreement where x ammount would be paid every month after i was able to work again. At some point after coming back to work I verbally asked them to change it to y which was less, but per check(paid every 2weeks) to help it go faster.
I have currently 1/3 of the loan paid off. Early May I put in my notice because I kept getting new responsibilities, moved to cover other peoples slacking, and just dealing with no real feeling of their own accountability or recognition/appreciation/raise for helping outside of my own duties. I submitted my two weeks notice and even offered an open ended notice because I knew they would be stretched thin and because even though I had something lined up, I was still shopping jobs to be honest.
My last day was a week and a half ago. The other day I get an email from a general manager saying the remaining balance will be subtracted from my final check and to let him know if I have any questions or concerns…thats, 90% of my check because hours weren't consistent from regular early cuts or days where they'd call and say they didn't need everyone on.
We never had any written agreements, just verbal. Maybe some texts back and forth talking about it, but reguardless -I fully intended and would like to pay them back in the previously defined payments or have come to a new agreement etc because it truly was a big help and an unexpected kindness for a relativley new employer for me.
I am tempted to reply with the specific labor laws this seems to violate in MN ( https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/181.79 ) and cc hr and his direct manager to give them the chance to correct this before it goes to payroll but it seems like employer violators are responsible for paying credit of double the original deduction made…and during the last pay period they also took out x instead of y without consent). The remaining ammount I owe is right around but under 1000usd but not something I can pay outright.
I'm also not 100% sure how to proceed if I did decide to let them deduct it and try to file something against them or how long it would take… nor can I afford to pay bills or even get food if they leave me such a reduced ammount.
Looking for advice or tips. It seems obvious to let it go through and report them, but what could I be missing or not thinking of. I really don't want to wait around with no positive outcome and even with this rude, blunt email I got I still don't know how I feel