Training Courses

Lakeland recognizes that the skills and knowledge of its employees are critical to the success of the Cooperative. Lakeland may provide training courses to all eligible employees immediately upon assignment to an eligible employment classification. To maintain eligibility employees must remain on the active payroll and be performing their job satisfactorily through completion of each course. Employees in the following employee classification(s) are eligible for training courses:

?* Regular full-time employees

?* Regular part-time employees

?* Part-time employees

Lakeland has the sole discretion to determine whether a course relates to an employee's current job duties or a foreseeable-future position. Employees should contact their supervisor for more information or questions about training courses.

While training courses are expected to enhance employees' performance and professional abilities, Lakeland does not guarantee that participation in training courses will entitle the employee to automatic advancement, a different job assignment, or pay increases.

Lakeland invests in training courses for employees with the expectation that the investment be returned through enhanced job performance. However, if an employee voluntarily separates from Lakeland's employment within six months of completion of a training course with a cost of $500 or more, the employee may be required to repay up to 100 percent of the cost of the training course.

An employee's participation in a training course with a cost of $500 or more constitutes that employee's agreement to repay up to 100% of the cost of the training course if the employee voluntarily separates from Lakeland's employment within six months of completion of the course. It further constitutes that employee's agreement that any outstanding balance may be withheld from any paychecks issued subsequent to termination, and that the employee will be responsible for all actual costs and attorney fees incurred by Lakeland in collecting any unpaid balance.

Policy No.  381  Issued  10/1/2002  Applicable  8/8/2002