Hello. I am currently working for a Fortune 500 company in California. (The company headquarters is in a different state). I have been working for them for over 2 months now and was just told that the one-time sign on bonus that I received as part of the offer letter I signed (before employment) was a mistake and that it needs to be paid back. When I signed the offer letter accepting the job I signed it based on the compensation package shown in the offer letter. Human Resources, my manager, and his manager all approved the offer letter before it was sent to me. (i.e. There were many people who could have caught this "mistake" before the letter was sent.) The money is currently in my bank account. What legal right do they have to ask for the money back? My decision in accepting the job offer was based on the sign on bonus I would be receiving. The only condition in the letter for returning the bonus is if I voluntarily quit before 1 year. If I am terminated before 1 year I get to keep the bonus. I know my manager and his manager wanted me to have the sign on bonus, but apparently HR is having "remorse" in giving it to me. What legal recourse do I have in this situation? Thanks for your help.

