Comments on: Contracts 101: Debt Bondage through “Training Agreements”

By: Tina

Tina — Mon, 24 Dec 2018 12:35:41 +0000

In reply to Donna Hogg. You're so welcome Donna! Good for her! Unfortunately, that kind of thing happens a lot and can tie up professionals for YEARS of their careers. In states where people can be licensed by apprenticeship, in particular, students are often exploited for free or exceptionally cheap labor. I get several emails each month from people in those situations. It's really unfortunate, but I'm glad she's doing something about it!

By: Donna Hogg

Donna Hogg — Sun, 23 Dec 2018 17:21:09 +0000

This is such a fabulous, informative post! And so timely! A graduate of mine just had this type of ncident happen to her—after completing the “apprenticeship” period, the owner changed the promised job to a lower-paying one than what was promised, and threw in a few more “requirements” before she could advance to a higher-paying level. They did minimal “training” instead used her for a go=fer. And now threatening to take her to court for an outrageous sum! Luckily, she is a smarter cookie than that and has sued them first for breach of contract! Lol Tina, you taught me to teach them well! Thanks for all the FREE training you have given me in these blogs!

By: Tina

Tina — Fri, 06 May 2016 17:30:39 +0000

In reply to Tabby.

Lol, you understand, but I certainly don’t understand…so, you earned the money by selling retail. She’s deciding how to spend it. If you leave the salon, you have to PAY BACK money that YOU earned for her? Her entire system is flawed. She needs to be doing this one of two ways:
a.) she pays you retail commission and charges for classes
b.) she keeps the retail commission and provides continuing education at no cost to you

Either way, charging you or holding you hostage via contract is ridiculous. You guys earned the retail commission. That’s money she’d be putting into your checks if she wasn’t spending it on continuing education. By charging you when you quit the salon, she’s doubling her money.

By: Tina

Tina — Fri, 06 May 2016 17:14:52 +0000

In reply to Tabby. YIKES! You're not crazy for feeling taken advantage of, you're crazy for staying! Dear god, get the hell out of that arrangement. I don't know how much recourse you have with the $150, but there's no reason you should continue taking losses there.

By: Tabby

Tabby — Wed, 04 May 2016 04:45:33 +0000

I REALLY need help now. My boss signed me up for a class on my day off without asking me if I would be able to attend. I was initially upset by this because my husband’s and I have been in the throws off trying to find a new home so my days off have been spent house hunting. I went ahead and signed the agreement to repay $150 if I left within a year of the class and was going to try my best to make it that day. Long story short, we were approved for an apartment and that Monday was move in day. This wasnow an issue on top of the fact that I only had a few days to come up with a live model, with a specific type, texture, and length of hair and a bunch of tools I was going to have to buy in order to take the class. I decided to take my day off to move instead of taking the class I was ill prepared for. The class was Monday, it is now Tuesday and I just received my paycheck stub that will be posted Friday. She already took the $150 out of my check for a class I never even attended! Also, she never even asked me if I could attend! I’m so upset. This is just the tip of the iceberg too. She’s also running groupons and only paying me $10 per groupon and the most expensive one is a full highlight, cut, deep conditioning treatment, and a style which takes me a few hours as a new stylist so basically, I’m making $3/hr on average. It’s just so frustrating and discouraging! Please tell me I’m not crazy for freeing taken advantage of. 🙁

By: Tabby

Tabby — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 06:49:32 +0000

I work for an Aveda salon in TN
Aveda provides an education calendar of upcoming classes in your area and beyond. There are prices listed for each class.
Our salon owner in particular does not give us a commission on retail sales. Instead she puts it into an “education fund”. I was taken with a group if stylists from the salon to a “team building” retreat of sorts. Our boss paid for EVERYTHING. BUT, before we could go we had to sign a contract staying if we left the salon within a year We had to pay back x amount of dollars. That I totally understand. However, since then I was signed up for a class by my boss (without asking me) for an advanced ed class and signed the same form with the same requirements. I thought this was to come out of the “education pot” we all contribute to with our retail sales. Thoughts?

By: Tina

Tina — Wed, 16 Mar 2016 23:30:36 +0000

In reply to Leilani. I have no idea, honestly, but I assume so. I highly recommend talking to a lawyer about it. I'm certain states like California likely have legislation against this kind of thing, but I'm really not certain.

By: Leilani

Leilani — Wed, 16 Mar 2016 23:26:24 +0000

I made the mistake of signing one of these agreements but never received any training beyond the “business-specific operational procedures”. I am a licensed massage therapist and have received all my training outside of my employer. Also I don’t believe they actually kept records of the minimal standard procedures training either. Would they have a case against me to pay the $$ if I never received training? Wouldn’t the burden of proof of training fall on them to justify the fees?

By: Tina Alberino

Tina Alberino — Wed, 06 Jan 2016 20:54:45 +0000

In reply to Leah. Honestly, it depends. You're best off talking to an attorney with a specialization in employment or contract law to determine how to proceed.

By: Leah

Leah — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 02:50:58 +0000

I am feeling silly because I made the mistake of signing one of these contracts and now I wish to leave. I told the owner I quit but now owe an extremely large sum of money. I told them I can’t pay but they keep threatening me. Do these contracts ever hold up in court?