Legal Question in Business Law in California

Educational Fellowship Legalities??
Scenario:
My company has 2 forms of educational assistance for full time employees. The first being Reimbursment. Basically, you pay for the course upfront and upon completion and a min of a B, you get fully reimbursed. You must stay as an employee for 1 year after the last day of your class. The second form is 2 year Fellowship for a Masters program if you get selected. Basically, the company will pay for ALL your costs up front and issue you an annual stipend for a 2 years. Also, we are limited to working a max of 32 hours a week as opposed to the normal 40 hrs. Upon completion of the 2 years, whether you graduate or not, you must stay with the company for 24 months after the last day of the last class.
Question: When reading the official company policy manual, only the first form of educational assistance (reimbursement) is discussed in detail. For the fellowship, the requirement of working for 2 years after completion is not stated, although it was stated on a contract we had to sign when starting the fellowship. Does the contract we had to sign hold any legal weight if the requirement is not stated in the official company policy manual?

Asked on 9/15/05, 2:47 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys

Michael Olden Law Offices of Michael A. Olden

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Re: Educational Fellowship Legalities??

without reviewing all the documentation no attorney i know would give you any valid legal opinion --- but if you signed the contract and they held up their part of the bargin you should hold up yours or you would be subject to a lawsuit, damages and breach of contract claim at the least

Answered on 9/15/05, 3:38 pm

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