Work says I owe money

[Tnoble27]

I work in Pennsylvania, I recently left my work, during employment the company sent us to classes. We had a contract signed and in it, it states; "employees who leave the company prior to one year after completion of a module, will be required to repay the company one half of the cost incurred by the company for them to attend that module." I failed the class, but they are saying since I went to all the classes that "I completed the module." Did I really "complete" the module even though I failed the class?

 

[Zigner]

I work in Pennsylvania, I recently left my work, during employment the company sent us to classes. We had a contract signed and in it, it states; "employees who leave the company prior to one year after completion of a module, will be required to repay the company one half of the cost incurred by the company for them to attend that module." I failed the class, but they are saying since I went to all the classes that "I completed the module." Did I really "complete" the module even though I failed the class?

Well, I guess that would depend on how they define "completion". It seems to me that they've already told you their definition. Furthermore, I agree. You went through the whole module, thus you completed it. Had it read "successful completion" or "completion as evidenced by a passing grade", then you might have something.

 

[PayrollHRGuy]

Failing the "module" obviously does not mean you didn't complete the module.

How much money are we talking about?

 

[Tnoble27]

Well, I guess that would depend on how they define "completion". It seems to me that they've already told you their definition. Furthermore, I agree. You went through the whole module, thus you completed it. Had it read "successful completion" or "completion as evidenced by a passing grade", then you might have something.

It also states, "in the event an employee is unsuccessful in completing a module, then the committee will develop a plan for the apprentice to obtain the necessary competencies."

 

[Zigner]

It also states, "in the event an employee is unsuccessful in completing a module, then the committee will develop a plan for the apprentice to obtain the necessary competencies."

So?

 

[LdiJ]

So?

The way that is worded lends itself to the possibility that completing a module requires passing the class...that bit about establishing a plan for the apprentice to obtain the necessary competencies if they do not complete the module. Obviously the apprentice would not have obtained a competency without a passing grade.

 

[Zigner]

The way that is worded lends itself to the possibility that completing a module requires passing the class...that bit about establishing a plan for the apprentice to obtain the necessary competencies if they do not complete the module. Obviously the apprentice would not have obtained a competency without a passing grade.

It could also mean that if the employee misses classes, etc., they will help him get his certifications.

 

[LdiJ]

It could also mean that if the employee misses classes, etc., they will help him get his certifications.

Yes, but it really tends to read as if its the competencies that matter, and again, those would require a passing grade.

 

[Zigner]

So, if the employee were sneaky, he could take the course, intentionally fail the final, quit, then sign up for the test only, and get a free course out of it? I don't think that's what's intended.

 

[LdiJ]

So, if the employee were sneaky, he could take the course, intentionally fail the final, quit, then sign up for the test only, and get a free course out of it? I don't think that's what's intended.

Well, that is assuming that one can just sign up for the test. We don't know what industry this is or anything else about the type of work. In my industry it would be possible for someone to do that, but in many others it would not be.

 

[Zigner]

Well, that is assuming that one can just sign up for the test. We don't know what industry this is or anything else about the type of work. In my industry it would be possible for someone to do that, but in many others it would not be.

Fair enough.