Evidently many employees believe their employers have magic checkbooks. I could assume these same employees would reciprocate for the tuition assistance by remaining loyal to their donor employers for a productive career, but then, I don’t live in the same fantasy as these entitlement minded dolts.
Generally there is a 1-3 year payback period post graduation.
In my case it was 1 year and it was prorated. Had I left after 6 months, I would have been on the hook for 50 percent of what was paid out to me. After 1 year I free and clear.
I was lucky that 13 months after my last tuition reimbursement payment I received an offer which increased my salary 40% and gave me further responsibility. I gave my employer that paid for graduate degrees the chance to match but they were unable to.
I took the higher offer. That is how the free market works.