Legal Question in Employment Law in Illinois

I worked as an Associate Engineer for a lighting company in Saint Charles IL. I recently quit and started at a new job. While I was at the first job I had taken some Solidworks classes in which I signed a contract that I would not leave the company until 1 year after the completion of my last class. During my employment the company kept making everyone take furlough days and would not let me take classes because they needed me at work making the classes take longer for me to complete. One year almost to the day of signing the contract I quit and changed jobs. I left on great terms and gave them plenty of notice. They never even mentioned the contract until after I left and they even told me they were going to keep me on as a 1099 employee. Now the company is trying to come after me for the money for the classes. Should I have to pay this and if so shouldn't it be pro-rated?


Asked on 9/06/10, 8:22 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Alexandra Buzanis

The fact that they did not mention the contract does not preclude them from trying to enforce its terms. However, as you may already know, many things can be revisited and even renegotiated, especially if your relationship is still positive with this employer. It sounds like you might have a good defense in part if they sued you. However, I would like more informaiton in order to provide better advice. I have questions also about - how much is owed under the proposed contract, the terms, etc. before I can provide additional advice. Also, have they made a demand for repayment? I suggest you contact a good local attorney if they have and are seeking alot of money back, and/or try to negotiate a fair settlement of this alleged debt. Maybe even ask them to waive it in exchange for your remaining on as a 1099. Best of luck. Attorney Alex

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Answered on 10/01/10, 11:22 am


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