(WNY News Now) – HARRISBURG – Attorney General Michelle Henry has announced a settlement with PetSmart LLC addressing the company’s alleged misrepresentation of free pet groomer/stylist training programs offered to Pennsylvania employees. The settlement, an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance, resolves claims that PetSmart required employees to enter into repayment agreements for training advertised as free.
For a specific period, PetSmart’s training program, touted as complimentary, included a stipulation that employees pay up to $5,500 if their employment ended within two years of completing the training. These repayment agreements, often termed “TRAPs” (Training Repayment Agreements), were criticized for misleading employees into financial obligations under the guise of free education.
“Employees pursue training to enhance their skills, and PetSmart’s practices exploited their aspirations while unfairly burdening them with significant costs,” Attorney General Henry stated. “My office remains committed to combating deceptive practices and protecting Pennsylvania workers.”
Under the terms of the settlement, PetSmart has committed to eliminating training repayment agreements and ensuring that all terms of free services or goods are transparently disclosed in the future. The company has ceased using these agreements in Pennsylvania and is working to mitigate any adverse effects on affected employees.
As part of the settlement, PetSmart will pay $20,000 to the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. The funds will be used for public protection and educational initiatives.
Pennsylvanians who suspect they have been affected by such agreements are encouraged to file a complaint online with the Fair Labor Section, call 215-560-2402, or email fairlabor@attorneygeneral.gov.
The Assurance of Voluntary Compliance was filed in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas by Deputy Attorneys General Kevin R. Green and Ryan W. Sypniewski.
Leave a Reply