Pa. AG reaches $20K settlement with PetSmart over training practices

HARRISBURG, Pa. (WTAJ) — Attorney General Michelle Henry announced a settlement with PetSmart LLC over the company’s alleged practice of advertising free programs that were not actually free.

The settlement alleges that, for a limited period, PetSmart offered a pet groomer/stylist training program for employees in Pa. that was advertised as free. Instead, PetSmart required employees who participated in the training to enter into an agreement that required them to pay a sum of up to $5,500 if their employment ended within two years of beginning the training.

Agreements of this type, in which employers require employees to repay training costs if they leave before a designated period of time, are often referred to as “TRAPs” (training repayment agreement provisions).

“Employees taking advantage of seemingly free training are seeking to better their skills and knowledge for their jobs. PetSmart took advantage of those aspirations and set Pennsylvania employees up to pay thousands of dollars while misrepresenting the terms,” Henry said. “Practices like these are unfair and my office will continue to work to stop their use and protect hardworking Pennsylvanians.”

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In the Assurance of Voluntary Compliance, PetSmart agreed to no longer use training agreement provisions, or otherwise offer free services or goods in Pa. unless all terms, conditions and obligations are clearly disclosed.

PetSmart has also agreed to pay $20,000 to the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, which will be used for future public protection and educational purposes.

PetSmart has already voluntarily ceased using training repayment agreement provisions in Pennsylvania and the company has taken steps to reverse any negative impact these agreements may have had on Pennsylvania employees.

Any Pennsylvanian who believes they or someone they know may have been impacted by a TRAP agreement with a current or former employer should file a complaint online with the Fair Labor Section, call 215-560-2402 or email fairlabor@attorneygeneral.gov .

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