Perm job - asked to pay for training courses attended upon handing in notice

[chicane]

Apologies in advance for the vague nature of this post and the general lack of information. I'll try to gain more info if anybody has specific questions.

Mrs. Chicane has just handed in her notice for her permanent job shortly after attending two training courses funded by her employer. She signed a piece of paper for each course stating that she would repay the costs of the course to the company if she left within a certain timescale following attendance of the course.

Her employer has now demanded payment for both courses - a total of four grand. Whilst I acknowledge that she has willingly signed the agreement on both occasions, is there any area of employment law or otherwise that would put her employer on shaky grounds in terms of being able to demand payment from her for these courses?

Also, is the employer required to provide any proof of the costs incurred in order for their demand to be valid - e.g. invoices for the courses?

I know this is an obscure question, but would appreciate any words of wisdom provided by the panel.

[tino]

No prior knowledge, I would assume that she would be liable for the full costs (as per her signed agreement) but would be well within her rights to demand to see what was actually paid.

[Drewster]

Mrs. Chicane has just handed in her notice for her permanent job shortly after attending two training courses funded by her employer. She signed a piece of paper for each course stating that she would repay the costs of the course to the company if she left within a certain timescale following attendance of the course.

I am sorry.... but which bit of this did you not understand?

As to wether "they" would pursue the matter in Court to enforce it - thats a different matter.
You could (undoubtably) play the "Big Corporation bullies poor innocent Mrs Chicane" angle in the local Press/Radio etc.

But morally she undertook a plain and clear obligation to compensate them if she did a runner before they had got thier moneys worth.......

[cojak]

I am sorry.... but which bit of this did you not understand?

As to wether "they" would pursue the matter in Court to enforce it - thats a different matter.
You could (undoubtably) play the "Big Corporation bullies poor innocent Mrs Chicane" angle in the local Press/Radio etc.

But morally she undertook a plain and clear obligation to compensate them if she did a runner before they had got thier moneys worth.......

WHS.

And watch out for those 'interesting' reference if she weltches on the deal...

[chicane]

I am sorry.... but which bit of this did you not understand?

As I said in the original post, I fully understand that she has agreed in writing to pay for the courses if she leaves within a certain timescale. I know that morally speaking, it's also fair enough that she should compensate the employer for what they've lost.

What I was wondering is whether there's any aspect of employment law or otherwise that would put such an agreement on shaky ground. I'm guessing that this isn't the case, but will hold out for further responses before she agrees to pay anything back.

[tino]

As I said in the original post, I fully understand that she has agreed in writing to pay for the courses if she leaves within a certain timescale. I know that morally speaking, it's also fair enough that she should compensate the employer for what they've lost.

What I was wondering is whether there's any aspect of employment law or otherwise that would put such an agreement on shaky ground. I'm guessing that this isn't the case, but will hold out for further responses before she agrees to pay anything back.

Chicane,

I believe that these types of "clauses" are fairly commonplace these days/

[Drewster]

As I said in the original post, I fully understand that she has agreed in writing to pay for the courses if she leaves within a certain timescale. I know that morally speaking, it's also fair enough that she should compensate the employer for what they've lost.

What I was wondering is whether there's any aspect of employment law or otherwise that would put such an agreement on shaky ground. I'm guessing that this isn't the case, but will hold out for further responses before she agrees to pay anything back.

Sorry? Could I just paraphrase that:
Despite freely entering into a clearly understood contract/situation I wonder if there is anyway I can wriggle and squirm my way out of it?

As I said above - play the "Big Bully" Card and they probably won't actually come after her........

Could you PM me with your Company Details, Real Name etc - because I want to be sure I never have any dealings with you in the "outside world"

[TheFaQQer]

You might be able to argue that she was essentially forced to sign the clause, otherwise, she wouldn't have had access to training that was essential for her job (depending on the course, of course). In that case, it would not be enforceable as it's an abuse of a dominant position.

IANAL, though - just work fora couple of days and pay it for her.

[NotAllThere]

Google is your friend: http://www.employment-solicitors.co....ining-fees.htm

[d000hg]

IANAL, though - just work fora couple of days and pay it for her.

£4000 is more than a couple of days' work.

Presumably though it does at least knock £4000 off her taxable income for the year?