Has anyone successfully and voluntarily exited the company without having to pay back their tuition obligation with less than half a year left? I know there’s been a ton of discourse on this site but it doesn’t seem like there are any answers on this specific topic.
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Yes!! I left (laid off) in May 2024 and before that I felt TRAPPED!! I was literally mentally drained. There was NO room to grow career wise & once I expressed this to my already micro-manager she didn’t care. As a Manger & her Director - they were already checked out! So I went straight to the top & asked to meet. I expressed my frustration in no bonuses and no promotions. My Manager who was new with our program (didn’t even care to learn) at one point was gaslighting me and told me that I didn’t have the skills to move up. Even though she was brand new at managing a different vertical/ our healthcare program. Her boss/ Director was also just as worse as her. So I went to the very top to leadership that a news outlet wanted to interview me to ask me how my mental health was while working in a place that is consistently doing layoffs. I think that’s what worked because a few weeks afterwards, I was called by HR & I was let go in the morning - I CRIED tears of joy because although I was grateful for my masters, It felt like I had sold my soul. Now months later, I’m earning almost twice as much, and I am so happy I advocated for myself.
The tuition team themselves were laid off last year, so doubtful anyone would check.
With these new greedy execs though who is to say they won’t come after you years down the line while digging for Pennie’s?
When’s ya time up?
I wonder where 2U will be in the future, most upper management is completely unqualified. Get rid of 90% directors, you really don't need them, let the manager do that.
Talk to your manager and express deeply your desire to move on to another opportunity if it presents itself and that the only thing holding you back is your tuition benefit. Chances are you’ll be considered to be part of the next layoff. Goodluck!
Yes I know 2 people who left and the company never came after them.
I'm really interested to hear if anyone has too. I haven't, and finished my commitment after graduating. I've honestly never understood how 2U can even enforce such an agreement. How do they demand you pay it back? They send you an invoice and you pay it? And if you don't? Do/can they send collections after you? I doubt it. What are they going to do? Garnish wages? Maybe your last paycheck, if that.
Listen, 2U has a lot bigger legal problems to deal with than litigating with you to get back a modicum of money from your tuition. They probably had tuition deals with their universities anyways, or use this as some kind of business write-off. I just think you have very little to fear and should not let this agreement trap you in this company. If you find another opportunity right now, you should TAKE IT. 2U would let you go in an instant if it served their bottom line.
In my opinion, the risk of missing out on a good job opportunity right now is greater than the risk of 2U going after you for that money. Besides, we sign all kinds of things that aren't actually enforceable. Non-competes, for example, are not legal (thank you, Lina Khan: https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/04/ftc-announces-rule-banning-noncompetes).
Good luck!
Yes, get out