Q: My employer paid me a stipend for an educational training and is now asking me to pay that stipend back.
I did not sign documentation agreeing to any certain terms with the stipend, yet my employer is claiming since I am not remaining employed for 2 years post-training I will have to repay the stipend amount. I have recently put in my 1 month notice to end employment. She is threatening to sue me for the stipend amount - what are my rights and protections here?
A:
In NC, your employee agreement, if there is one in place, will usually dictate whether you must repay the stipend to your employer. If the contract is silent on this matter, be sure the agreement does not incorporate an employee handbook or another document that informs employees of their requirement to repay the stipend.
If an obligation to repay the stipend exists, the burden is on your employer to provide proof of this obligation. You should ask them to provide documentation supporting their claim.
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