Anyone else have this problem?

I worked for Merck from 2005 to 2006. I was pushed out by my manager after completely two training courses and great numbers in my territory. I moved on and have been working for another company since then. Yesterday I got a call from some law firm stating that I OWED Merck money for breaking my contract. I told him I never had a contract and when I checked out with my manager, she did not mention anything about breaking a contract. He then told me that I was refusing to pay and that he would see me in court. The total I owe is over $2000 which I have never received a notice. Anyone else in this mess?

Originally Posted by Anonymous

I worked for Merck from 2005 to 2006. I was pushed out by my manager after completely two training courses and great numbers in my territory. I moved on and have been working for another company since then. Yesterday I got a call from some law firm stating that I OWED Merck money for breaking my contract. I told him I never had a contract and when I checked out with my manager, she did not mention anything about breaking a contract. He then told me that I was refusing to pay and that he would see me in court. The total I owe is over $2000 which I have never received a notice. Anyone else in this mess?

get the notice in writing, anything verbal is harassment and I don't think it is something merck would do (seriously, they would send you a certified letter)

be careful of people coming up to you asking if you are so and so and then serving you. If you don't have a contract, and you ask for details (what was the money you them for exactly, when was the debt incurred, can you please provide me a copy of my signed contract that indicates ....blah blah blah)

you should have just told them to send you all the info in writing and hung up on them

merck is not going to be coming after you for 2 grand

Thank you so much for writing to me. I thought the same thing. I was so angry because I didn't know what to say. I will be careful of people serving me.... but then again wouldn't the cost of going to court be too much trouble?

Originally Posted by Anonymous

I worked for Merck from 2005 to 2006. I was pushed out by my manager after completely two training courses and great numbers in my territory. I moved on and have been working for another company since then. Yesterday I got a call from some law firm stating that I OWED Merck money for breaking my contract. I told him I never had a contract and when I checked out with my manager, she did not mention anything about breaking a contract. He then told me that I was refusing to pay and that he would see me in court. The total I owe is over $2000 which I have never received a notice. Anyone else in this mess?

Did the company pay relocation/moving costs?

Just living expenses, but not to move. Merck will not pay for moving cost until expense reports are approved and receipts are sent in. When I checked out, I had every expense preapproved and paid off.

If Merck is coming after you for 2 grand, things must really be dire at mother. I thought your employment status was "at will" right? Like the pp said, show me the contract.

OP here. It is for a relocation loan. I never used one and it was never mentioned in any of the termination papers I signed. I am so mad over this. I am not going to pay them anything. I was in another city away from my family doing this job and never took a loan out. Can you believe this crazy mess. I have another call back in and I will tell them that they will have to take me to court. By the way, the total is $2079.00

Piece of crap company.

Originally Posted by Anonymous

OP here. It is for a relocation loan. I never used one and it was never mentioned in any of the termination papers I signed. I am so mad over this. I am not going to pay them anything. I was in another city away from my family doing this job and never took a loan out. Can you believe this crazy mess. I have another call back in and I will tell them that they will have to take me to court. By the way, the total is $2079.00

Piece of crap company.

Don't fight it!!! My friend fought the battle could not win the war with Merck. The mother has long line of lawers doing nothing but fight you!!!

Originally Posted by Anonymous

Don't fight it!!! My friend fought the battle could not win the war with Merck. The mother has long line of lawers doing nothing but fight you!!!

What do you mean don't fight it? If OP didn't sign anything, didn't take a loan, didn't use the money, of course he or she should fight it. Merck is big therefore we should cower? Don't think so.

OP here with more information. When you get any relocation benefits, you are responsible for paying the total if you are no longer employed.... yes even if you are fired! Anyway, they take the total and divide by 12 and what is left of your year you didn't complete, they will want you to pay. I never took any money but I am responsible for paying for two months because my old region wants the money back. Talk about a kick in the ass!

OP, 20-year industry vet here: This doesn't sound right. I can see if you got a comple relo package and then quit to take another job, they'd be out the relo costs. But since THEY terminated the relationship it doesn't make sense they would come after you for $2,000. First call Merck's legal and/or relo department to see what this is all about. If they truly have a claim I'd pay $100 for a consultation with a good employment law attorney to see if this is valid. Keep us informed as to what's going on, this doesn't sound right. In any event, monies collected wouldn't go back into the region's budget, there's something that's missing here.

If you owed them money, Merck would have taken it out of your last check.

OP here, Thank you so much for all of your advise. I have contacted an employment attorney and when I told them that, they quit sending me information. I think they would have taken it out of my last check. I also think it is odd that they waited almost three years to come after me. I will let you know what happens on monday when I meet with my attorney.

Thank y'all so much.

Forget the going to court plans...you are then fighting them on their own turf. I suggest that you all contact the press - given the low esteem of pharma this should be easy pickings...Try O'Reilly, Lou DObbs, ABC, CBS, NBC, etc....they may be diverted until the elections are over, but on the other hand, this could fit nicely into an anti big business / healthcare comany discussion. Good Luck.