Buc-ee's Demands $67K Back From Ex-Employee Because She Left

[TexasTowelie]

For four years, Kelly Rieves has lived with an anvil above her head.

She left her job as an assistant manager at Buc-ee’s on good terms to pursue a different opportunity in 2012. Rieves had worked at the popular Texas convenience store chain since 2009, and enjoyed her time there.

But close to a year after leaving, Buc-ee’s mailed Rieves a letter that sent her head spinning: The company sought $67,000 from Rieves for breaching her employment contract, and would take her to court to get it.

Though Rieves has long since moved to a new job, her dispute with Buc-ee’s remains unresolved. And the sum she may ultimately be forced to pay increases each day.

Read more: http://www.houstonpress.com/news/buc-ees-demands-67k-back-from-ex-employee-because-she-left-8540676

[yuiyoshida]

1. bastards...

This would be my response...

[TexasTowelie]

2. I agree with the principle of retention pay,

but it is always in the best interest of the company and the employees involved to let people move along amicably when new opportunities arise unless there is some evidence that vital confidential information would be shared with a competing company. I can't believe that there is any piece of knowledge that a chain store manager would have that would topple Buc-ees in this situation and this tactic remind me more of enslavement rather than of a good business practice.

[Ford_Prefect]

3. This sounds like abuse that needs a SCOTUS response.

[TexasTowelie]

4. I can't imagine that any employee

would react favorably or perform effectively when they are placed under such onerous work conditions. However, this is Texas so there is no telling how a court would rule in this situation.

[kevink077]

5. Why sign the agreement?

She voluntarily signed the agreement, she knew about the agreement before she quit, (which was an employment contract)--and left anyway. While I think these sorts of contracts have no place for this type of work/ she needs to be a big girl and honor the contract she signed by not quitting. I have a hard time feeling sorry for her. It is like she dared the company to go after her.

[ProfessorPlum]

6. because she wanted to work?

Your employer can make you sign just about anything, but the question is what do they actually have the right to make part of your employment conditions.