repay signing bonus

[shawnyan]

Hello everyone. I have a question that I am hoping someone on here who's qualified can answer for me. I started at a company about 11 months ago and received a sign-on bonus of $10k with the stipulation that I remain with the company for at least one year or the bonus is repayable. This was outlined in an offer letter. It is said I won't repay the bonus unless my departure is the result of a unilateral determination by the company without cause to end my employment. Cause includes any violation of company policies or failure to perform satisfactorily. My boss rates my performance in an unsatisfactory level. Do I have any chance to negotiate with the company for this repayment? Thank you in advance.

 

[cbg]

We cannot interpret the terms of an agreement we have not read. You will have to show the agreement to an attorney in your state.

 

[shawnyan]

Sorry, the term is I must repay the bonus unless my departure is unilateraily determined by the company without any cause to end the employment. Cause inculdes violation of company's policy or failure to perform satisfactorily. Thanks.

 

[presutin]

If you have received an unfavorable rating, I am sure your management will design a plan to bring you up to the standards that they expect you to perform. You don't have a case here to avoid repayment. Good Luck!

 

[shawnyan]

Thank you for your advice. The manager gave me a project to do. She told me I beat her expectation after reviewing my work but I still need more experience to perform the work. After one week, she said they won't have time and money to help me grow. Thereafter, she launched the separation process. This coming Tuesday is the final day to sign the paper. If I do not sign it, I will lose my separation benefit and still owe the repayment.

 

[cbg]

Okay, since you didn't get what I was saying the first time, I'll say it more clearly this time.

SHOW IT TO AN ATTORNEY IN YOUR STATE. State law varies.