In July 2022, BreAnn Scally, a former PetSmart pet groomer, filed a groundbreaking class-action lawsuit in California against the retailer alleging it engaged in an illegal scheme to trap trainees in low-wage jobs by levying thousands of dollars in “abusive and unenforceable debts” against them. PetSmart also requires all of its groomers to sign a Training Repayment Agreement Provision as part of its new hire paperwork, which includes language saying the training “is voluntary, for my personal benefit, and is transferable to grooming positions with other employers.” The debt is reduced to about $2,750 after one full year on the job. New groomers are expected to pay back the full price of the training - up to $5,600 including the groomers kit - if they don’t stay with the company for two full years, even if they are fired or laid off. But PetSmart’s promised training comes with a catch.

Free training is seen as value-add for new hires, especially if it helps inexperienced workers develop an in-demand skill. The job promises new hires access to the PetSmart Grooming Academy where they will participate in “an exclusive and knowledge-filled four-week, 160-hour-long program” that includes classroom training, hand-on grooming experience under the guidance of a senior groomer and a tool kit “worth over $600” upon graduation. If you have ever tried to help a young person find a first job that could lead to a career, you may have stumbled across a posting from PetSmart, the national pet products retailer, that offers free training as a pet groomer - no experience required. => Former workers say the retailer’s training repayment program traps groomers in an abusive, illegal payment scheme that prevents them from leaving the company. PetSmart TRAP triggers class-action lawsuit Array

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