I signed onto a corporate job where I was given a $1,500 sign-on bonus. I signed a contract stating that I must return the sign on bonus if I leave before a year is up.
Had to quit basically no notice due to out of town family related emergency.
They really wanted to keep me on, and I could not afford to give back the sign on bonus anyways, so I am technically on a month long leave until 9/19…
I really can’t go back to this job. I do have the money to return the bonus now, but losing it would be a massive financial hit for me. I want to do what’s right, but I can’t help but feel that this whole thing is just a sham to keep me stuck in this job. I also feel I have earned this company the money they had given me for sign on, and plenty more. I was a good employee!
I understand I signed a contract. Quitting was not my plan. But circumstances changed, and now I must.
I need to know the risk I am taking, if I were just to block all of their numbers and stop responding at this point. As a large company, will they “come after” me? Or is it even worth it to them?
Has anyone experienced a situation like this before?
Is there any other alternative/ideas where I can leave without repaying back the sign on bonus?
It’s just so hard knowing that I need this money so much. My family needs it. They are a huge corporation. I would not be hurting anybody by doing this. But I fear what can happen to me if I do.