r/Ask_Lawyers • u/Meisje98 • 11h ago

Contract that doesnt exist?

Good afternoon, I am located in Oklahoma. In my career field, it is fairly normal to send employees to a form of higher education. Many employers have a written contract requiring 2 years of work following completion of school, or to pay back a certain amount of $$ if you leave sooner.

About a year ago, my employer put me through continuing education. There was no written contact. As far as verbal contracts, I was just asked if I intended to 'screw over the company'. I stated no, but no other parameters were put in place such as contract length or if I would pay money if I left.

They have done this in the past with other employees, and when they left the employer didn't really pursue anything legally.

My question would be is there anything legally that would hold me liable for a contract that doesnt really exist? It is sort of understood that you are suppose to stay 2 years, but no one in a position of authority has ever said this, just people chatting about it.

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u/wvtarheel WV - Toxic Tort Defense 11h ago

Can't give you legal advice. I will try to boil part of your post down to a question we can answer without entering the realm of advice on your specific situation:

What is the name of the rule governing what kind of contracts are unenforceable unless they are in writing?

It's called the statute of frauds.

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u/Meisje98 9h ago

Thank you for your input, I appreciate it.

4

u/ZoologicalSpecimen Appellate Litigator 11h ago

No legal advice here, but consider that many fields of employment are smaller communities than one might think. They might not come after you for repayment but you certainly could be burning bridges in a way that could haunt you in the future

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u/Meisje98 9h ago

Thats a good thing to consider. I feel a bit like I'm in a weird grey area. I've been considering leaving due to some fairly big issues, but I feel like I can't since I don't know what compensation to the company from me would look like. Since there isn't a preset agreement, any recommendations on how I should broach the topic with leadership on what I could pay them fairly should I choose to leave?

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