What is an employee’s liability on a corporate credit card after they have left the company?

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What is an employee’s liability on a corporate credit card after they have left the company?

I left the employment of a company approximately one year ago and held a corporate credit card . here was an outstanding balance on the card when I left. The company paid the balance, however I received a demand letter for the balance they paid to zero. I am inclined to respond to the demand letter asking for a copy of the agreement that obligates me to pay any outstanding balance. How should I proceed?

Asked on September 10, 2012 under Employment Labor Law, Texas

Answers:

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 11 years ago | Contributor

If the company previously (prior to you leaving employment) paid (Or reimbursed, if you initially paid) any charges on the card which were charges validly or properly incurred in the course of your employment, for the employer's benefit, and within the confines of any rules or parameters for what you could charge, then they should not now be able to force you to pay those charges. Even in the absence of a written agreement to the effect of the above, if sued, you could use the company's demonstrated course of conduct--i.e. the fact that it did pay these work-related charges--as evidence of an agreement under which it would pay all such charges.

Where they might have a valid claim, however, against you for outstanding balances on the card would be if:

1) you charged items or services for your own benefit, not the company's; or

2) you charged more than you were allowed to charge; or

3) you incurred charges after leaving employee.

In those events, they could certainly seek reimbursement of those charges.


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