I joined a company 1 month ago, received joining bonus and relocation assistance.

20 Comments

1. TheFemalestormMarch 12,2024 at 3:32AM UTC

   Unless you signed an employment contract, not an offer letter, you don't have to pay anything back; they can't deduct it from your paycheck, which is payment for the days you worked.

2. AnonymousMarch 13,2024 at 12:46PM UTC

   She probably does have to pay it back but not paying it back would be scummy even of it isn't spelled out.

3. AnonymousMarch 14,2024 at 12:47PM UTC

   Yes you do have to pay it back if you don’t stay for a certain amount of time. There is no free money.

4. AnonymousMarch 14,2024 at 12:46PM UTC

   Wrong!

   The relocation package states that you must remain in employment with the company for at least a year. If not, you owe the money back and you have to do it in a lump sum. For example, 15k or 25k in one shot

5. misskelleypMarch 14,2024 at 4:41PM UTC

   Absolutely wrong. You will definitely have to pay it back, depending on what the agreement/offer letter says. While they may not be able to take it out of your paycheck, they CAN sue you for it, garnish your wages at your new employer and place a lien on any real property you may own. READ your agreement, it should have all the details. And, as someone else said - be REALLY sure you want to make this move. You have no assurances that the culture at employer

6. AnonymousMarch 13,2024 at 12:08PM UTC

   You received the bonus payout already? And relo assistance - was in the form of one lump sum or reimbursement? What sort of agreements have you signed? What do they say as far as payback is concerned?

7. AnonymousMarch 13,2024 at 12:09PM UTC

   Also, if you received the bonus payout already...did you spend it ? And since you got relo, did you already relocate?

8. AnonymousMarch 13,2024 at 5:04PM UTC

   You should read the details in your offer letter.

   IMHO negotiating a similar sign on from the new company might cancel one out for the other, though I would not share this with company #2. The claw back from company 1 likely has a written payback schedule in it. If not they might take this out of any upcoming paychecks you have and take it out of your accounts. If you plan on giving them 2 weeks notice dependent upon your leaving date and how much you owe them this might also cancel out the monies due. Expect them to come for it definitely, as you will surely have to pay it back. Additionally this will affect your taxes some, so do speak to your accountant about how to process this gain and loss without some additional expenses to you.

9. AnonymousMarch 14,2024 at 12:39PM UTC

   If you DO NOT work for the company for at least a YEAR, you have to pay back the relocation money $$$ and also return the signing bonus.

   they already moved you and you have started the job but you don’t like the culture.
   you have to pay back the entire package money ( relo assistance and bonus) if you decide to jump ship and quit.

10. Rae WagonerMarch 14,2024 at 12:42PM UTC

    That depends on the written agreement and/or contract that was signed, and its contents. Might be less time, might be more time, but your comment is not a universal truth.

11. AnonymousMarch 14,2024 at 6:58PM UTC

    I was not saying it is exactly 1 year - it was an example and never said it was the universal TRUTH.

    Of course it could be less or more but the bottom line is you have to pay back the relocation assistance and return the bonus if you are leaving the company after a month.

    have you ever been through the relo process? I have and it was stipulated if I stayed with the company less than a year, I owe everything back.

12. AnonymousMarch 14,2024 at 12:47PM UTC

    Check your offer letter. Everything is spelled out there, including how long you must work there to keep the bonus and relo assistance. Don't expect them to take this well. They have spent a lot of money you will likely have to pay back, which is most likely more than your first paycheck. Will the new offer make you have to move again? You may need to negotiate a buy-out of your lease unless you have been staying in a hotel with your stuff in storage. I certainly hope the new offer is worth it because this could be very expensive for you. Opting out early on leases will appear on your credit report, which could affect deposits and other eligibility when trying to find housing elsewhere.

13. AnonymousMarch 14,2024 at 12:49PM UTC

    Agree!

14. AnonymousMarch 14,2024 at 12:56PM UTC

    How to repay it if you don’t want the job?

    I would say write them a refund check for the full amount and move on to job number 2.

15. GirlBossanova934974March 14,2024 at 1:05PM UTC

    As others have already said, you should carefully read your offer letter. See what has to be paid back and what does not have to be paid back. BUT you should be very cautious about jumping ship after one month! And please consider this. WHAT HAPPENS if you like the 2nd company even less after one month than you like the current company? The grass is NOT always greener on the other side of the street. You have no assurances of that. At least with the current company, you know that they something invested in you. They will try to make it work for both sides which is a whole lot more than many companies will do these days.

16. AnonymousMarch 14,2024 at 1:28PM UTC

    This has been 17 years ago. To pack up my house, move me about 90 miles, handle all of the closing costs on my new house, and pay commission and other costs on the house I sold I was into the company for about $50,000 at that point. So make sure you really know what has been spent with relocation assistance before saying I am done and thinking you just have to write a check for the joining bonus. It is a lot more than you think.

    Read your agreement and know the rules.

17. AnonymousMarch 14,2024 at 2:01PM UTC

    Really unethical to not pay all the money back! Lousy and unprofessional.

18. AnonymousMarch 15,2024 at 12:48PM UTC

    It sounds as though you spent all of the joining bonus already. If that's the case and you need to repay it in order to leave, you could (1) start saving now and wait to leave your job, (2) talk to your new job offer and see if they will give you a similar bonus to start with them (maybe they really want you?!), (3) borrow money from someone to repay your old job and then make it a priority to pay them back with interest. Good luck.

19. AnonymousMarch 15,2024 at 1:44PM UTC

    Aside of the relocation assistance (which would have obviously been spent for a relocation), this is one heck of an assumption. All she asked is how to repay, not "where do I get the money?"

20. AnonymousMarch 18,2024 at 12:33PM UTC

    Wow! Great advice is to re-read your offer letter & try working out the kink if possible. Companies that invest in their employees will definitely seek a refund. Success to you!