Hi
I recently attended 2 courses paid for by my employer but for personal reasons I want to leave the company. I never signed anything beforehand which stated I had to pay the costs back if I left, but I did sign an agreement for previous course about 18 months ago that stated that I had to pay back the fees pro rata if I left within 12 months. Now I know I dont have to pay the fees back for the old course but i'm wondering if there is anything in my employer contract which states I do for the latest courses. The fact that they made me sign for old course suggests I dont. How can I find out if I do? I dont seem to have a copy of my contract amongst my paperwork.
Thanks in advance
If sounds as if you're speculating as to what might happen at the moment and don't know for certain whether they'll charge you or not? Without seeing your employment contract no one can give an answer as not all employment contracts are the same. Something like this is more likely to be included in your employer's policies / procedures / employee handbook which should be readily accessible for you to read and find out. You are also entitled to ask for a copy of your contract if you want to be absolutely sure. The only way to find out for certain is to ask, but this may reveal your intentions too early or prompt them to take action. If you signed an agreement last time it's unlikely that they will have the grounds to charge you, but if it's written in a contract or employment guide / policy that this is what the company do as standard practice with all training courses they could claim it back even though you haven't signed anything. If you're really worried about this it might be worth delaying resignation whilst you save some money - personally I'd risk it and resign, but depending on your circumstances it's better and best be safe than sorry.
Good luck, MB
Yes thats correct I am wondering what will happen if I hand my resignation in. I have checked the employee handbook and there wasn't anything in there relating to training. I also checked the employee handbook of the company I tupe'd over from and there wasnt anything in there. The only way which I think I can get charged, is if the original course agreement I signed had something in there which related to all future courses. Would this be normal? or do most companies make sure sign a seperate agreement for each course? I think the only way to find out is to get a copy of original agreement. I know I didnt take a copy so unless one of my colleagues kept a copy the only I can find out is to ask HR!
Thanks
I think it would be unlikely if the original agreement covered all future courses - it would be unusual. If you ask to see that agreement it might prompt your organisation to look at the recent courses. As it's so difficult to find out this information I doubt it's custom and practice as you'd probably know about it. These agreeements are generally put in place where the training is something that linked more to the employee request / requirements rather than those of the company. If it's a business course then it's probably something they would expect to pay for. As I said yesterday I'd take the risk, if it's something they've forgotten to do then that's their fault.
Recovery of Training Costs
In cases where financial support is provided, employees will be required to sign a learning contract agreeing to repay the cost of the training on a pro-rated basis in the event of any of the following circumstances occurring:
• The employee resigns from XXXX prior to completion of the course/qualification or within twelve months after the end of the course/qualification.
Its unlikely but if the unsigned agreement turns up in a drawer in HR and they realise they have made a mistake, could they make me sign something after the event?
For some reason my first sentance didnt appear in my last post. What I said was I found this paragraph in the employee handbook. It looks as if im ok!!
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