Being chased by ex employer for repayment of study fees

IKE25

Hi,

In August last year I left my previous employer (accountancy practice) but did not complete my qualification. The terms of my contract stated I would have to repay if I did not complete which is for £1689.

Their policy is for them to deduct this from my final pay packet; however in this instance they did not do this as they forgot, and advised me on my last day of employment that they wanted payment in full. I did not have the means to pay this and they ensured I signed an agreement stating I would pay back £281.50 over a 6 month period before I could walk out the door.

To date I have not paid back anything and they got in touch with my mother (my last known address) who told them I no longer live there; and they then said to her I owe them money.

They have now sent me a letter advising I am to be referred to their debt collection agency and that they have attached my agreement letter - but they haven't.

I don't understand why they are chasing me through my parents when they are aware of my new employer who is a client of theirs and I even liaise with their staff still from time to time - so surely they can contact me through this way?

I did sign the agreement letter but I'm aggrieved that I wasn't given the same study support as other people; that they didn't follow their policy for reclaiming and insisted I sign a letter on my final day; and that they told my mother - is this a breach of data protection?

Can I challenge this in any way?

Thanks

McKneff

You cant challenge it, you say yourself you owe them the money.

As for contacting you, they are contacting you at your last know address. full stop.

You would probably be miffed if they did what you say and contact you through your now employer. They have to do things in writing and they will not address personal mail to you at your place of work.

To be honest, I would pay up, debt collectors are going to be calling at your last known address (your parents) and if the debt collectors get involved your credit is going to be trashed for a long time.

You owe it, you signed to say you would pay it. So they made a mistake in not taking it out of your final pay. They have been more than fair in giving you six months to pay it.

I would pay it as soon as possible, you really havent got a leg to stand on.

[Deleted User]

IKE25 wrote: »

and they ensured I signed an agreement stating I would pay back £281.50 over a 6 month period before I could walk out the door.

How did they ensure you signed?

Apples2

IKE25 wrote: »

they got in touch with my mother (my last known address)

I don't understand why they are chasing me through my parents when they are aware of my new employer who is a client of theirs and I even liaise with their staff still from time to time - so surely they can contact me through this way?

You seem to be doing everything possible to avoid them, to the extent of leaving it to your parents to sort out.

I find it remarkable that you would prefer them to contact you through your new empoyers.

Is there a reason you won't deal with them yourself?

danielanthony

I would take proper legal advice as they can only chase you for a debt if you have a loan with them, and not some made-up training program. Yes, you might have agreed to their terms, but they might not be enforcible legally.

Takeaway_Addict

Why not just be proactive and talk to them and if you cannot pay what they requested ask for a longer repayment schedule at a lower amount.

£1700 is alot of money for a company to just let go but if they see you starting to pay things back (albeit at a less amount than you agreed) then its highly unlikely they will do anything.

IKE25

I have grievances with them over the way I was treated during my time their that's all - which I accept is a separate issue. I will repay.

Thanks

Takeaway_Addict

danielanthony wrote: »

I would take proper legal advice as they can only chase you for a debt if you have a loan with them, and not some made-up training program. Yes, you might have agreed to their terms, but they might not be enforcible legally.

This is wrong, as long as the company got the employee to sign an agreement stating that if they left before the agreed date then the employee would be liable for a certain % of the costs then this is fine.

Bravehearted_2

Did you update your contact address with them? Thought so.

You say your mother's was you last known address, so that's obviously where they'll write to.

And no, they didn't "tell your mother". They probably wrote to you at the address you gave them. And your mother probably opened your mail.

IKE25

Bravehearted wrote: »

Did you update your contact address with them? Thought so.

You say your mother's was you last known address, so that's obviously where they'll write to.

And no, they didn't "tell your mother". They probably wrote to you at the address you gave them. And your mother probably opened your mail.

No, they called her up actually. But point taken lol.

blacksta

pay up, you have their money or part qualifications