Legal Question in Employment Law in Illinois
Hello, I am in Illinois working in the medical field by contract (although I believe I am classified by the empolyer as an employee). I signed a multi-year contract, although I know IL is a work at will state. The contract states that if I leave employment early for any reason, I agree that I owe the employer $750k for the "training" of being in a professional office setting, to learn their "system" of business. Is this legally binding? ie if I left employment, I would owe $750k?
1 Answer from Attorneys
At-will status can be modified by an employment agreement between an employer and employee. In this situation, I think that if you are a professional for whom your employer invested large sums to train, the employer might be allowed to recover certain training costs if you breach your contract by leaving early.