Tuition Reimbursement, and Maternity Leave

[angelmama]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? PA

My employer has paid for the last 3 semesters of graduate school.
They paid for Fall 07 for 4K,
and Spring 08 also for 4K,
and this summer starting in May and ending in August. They paid 4K$.

Their employee agreement states that an employee must remain employed for one year after tuition reimbursement. I just found out that I am expecting and have decided not to take anymore tuition from the company, I will pay for the last 2 years of school myself.


My child is due in April. I would like to take maternity leave, and after my leave I'm weighing my options regarding child care and school, Im not sure if I will be able to come back to work.

The policy is extremely vague..I am the only employee to ever use it, though they've had it for a long time.

It basically states that
1. Employment at the company is at will.
2. The employee will remain employed at the company for one year after reimbursement.

Then it goes on and on about grade requirements, etc.

Since the last 4 months of my employment I would have been off of work but still technically was employed do you think that its likely that they will make me pay any of it back, if so any idea how much?

 

[moburkes]

You've got several problems. If you don't return after your leave, they could make you reimburse them your health insurance premiums. They are used to people staying on payroll through FMLA leave, then quitting the moment it is time to return. They could ask for reimbursement since you really would ahve quit. the other problem is that FMLA only protects your job for 12 weeks, not 4 months. You also might be out of work, due to disability associated with your pregnancy, prior to the due date.
But no one here can venture any type of guess of what they will tell you since we don't work for them.

 

[angelmama]

I appreciate the quick response. I opt out of any type of insurance there, because I am covered by my hubby's work policy. I am not eligible for FMLA bc my company doesn't meet the criteria for number of employees. The company's personnel policy is that a person can take up to 6 months unpaid time for pregnancy/delivery of a child. Thanks for the info I guess that I will just have to wait and see what they say

 

[moburkes]

I appreciate the quick response. I opt out of any type of insurance there, because I am covered by my hubby's work policy. I am not eligible for FMLA bc my company doesn't meet the criteria for number of employees. The company's personnel policy is that a person can take up to 6 months unpaid time for pregnancy/delivery of a child. Thanks for the info I guess that I will just have to wait and see what they say

Okay. Your other option is to ASK them since, if they'd like to be reimbursed, they will likely require an immediate payment.