Employer Recouping Training Costs

alexc_6311

Hope someone can help!

I left my previous employer 6 months ago in October 2014. Recently I received a letter that my previous employer wants me to repay the full costs of a SVQ training course that I completed over a year during my employment. I also received funding from the Scottish Government towards the training.

At the time of starting the course I signed a short letter as detailed below

"28th November 2012

SVQ II Training in Health and Social Care

I have agreed to complete my study for my SVQ in Health and Social Care level II. Pitlair Ltd has agreed to pay this course but in the event of resigning from Pitlair Ltd within 2 years from completion date of the course, I will refund Pitlair Ltd in full for the cost of the course.

I also agree to make arrangements with my SVQ Assesor to continue with the course

The cost of the course is £840.00

Signed (NAME) Date 28/11/12"

I remember seeing a form on the staff noticed board about recouping of training costs at the time of signing up for the course but never questioned it at the time as I didnt think about leaving at that point in time. But 13 months later I did leave.

I have since obtained a copy of the agreement that I saw on the notice board which I have also included below.

"I agree to have the full cost of the above training deducted from my pay or any ther source available to the Home in the event that I fail to complete the training.

I also agree to have the follwing amount deducted from my pay or from any other source available to the Home if my employment is terminated from whatever reason within one year of completing the above training.

Service Qualification Repayment

Employement terminated within 100%
3 months of ending the training

Employment terminated after 3 75%
months but within 6 months of
ending the training

Employment terminated after 6 50%
months but within 9 months of
ending the training

Employment terminated after 9 25%
months but within 12 months of
ending the training

I understand that this is a relevant provision of my contract and that if insufficient remuneration is due to me from the Home, civil court action may be taken to recover any outstanding debt."

Three points, I know other staff who have left the home and been asked to pay different amounts of money than what I have been asked too pay, if I gave 13 months service using the training (which was compulsory by law (SCCCS) to complete my job should I be liable for the full 100%, and finally if this document was in exisistance but never asked to sign, does its terms still apply?

Thanks

Funky_Bold_Ribena

I think the sign on the notice board is the general process, but the signed letter is the one that is enforceable. However they usually stop it out of the last months' wages, and they would have to take you to court to get it back of you don't just pay it - so it's your call really. I suspect they may just hope you get your cheque book out rather than wish to follow you through the court process to get back £840.

LittleVoice

Was £840 the cost to the employer?


Did you achieve the SVQ?

Newwashingmachine

If you left 6 months ago and they didn't take the money off you I'd just leave it. It only looks like you owe 25% of the cost and also that probably the Government paid something toward it so how do you know that £840 was the full cost to the company (that sounds pretty steep to me).

I don't know if they could be bothered to take you to court for that much money. If they did you could offer 25% of the £840.00 which is around £210.00 and say you will pay it up on a monthly basis.

charliewocka

I left my previous employment and owed about £2000 in training costs. When I undertook the various training courses I had to sign an agreement similar to the one you posted. I agreed a repayment plan over 12 months (interest free) and set up a standing order. That was in England and about 7 years ago now.....


Perhaps contact the employer and see if you can come to an agreement on the amount and a possible payment plan?

TBagpuss

I think that the letter is what is relevant. Also, the sign you mention refer to employment being terminated.

Given that the two are different, I would read that as meaning that if *you* resign within 2 years of finishing the court, you are liable for the full amount , but if your employment ended because you were sacked or made redundant, you would pay the reduced amount depending on how long it had been since you finished the course.

You could, of course, offer to pay a reduced amount on the basis that they had the benefit of your training for over 21 months - perhaps offer to repay 50%.

And you can certainly ask to agree a repayment plan so that the payments are affordable, although be prepared for them to ask for details of your income and outgoings to help them decide whether your proposals are reasonable