Changing job after relocating?

JonathanJ

Hi everyone!

Just looking for a bit of advice on where I stand with my current job, so far Google has failed me

Back in late November last year my work relocated me to another site about 70 miles away as they are closing the one I was out down. They paid for me to move, letting agent fees, moving company etc.
But now the prospect of a new and better job has come up that I might be interested in.
I was wondering, if I do choose to move on can my current employer ask me to give back the relocation package?

I signed no contract or agreement of any kind stating there would be any terms to the relocation. So hoping I'm all in the clear to do what I want??

Ta muchly

Jon

getmore4less

Quite unusual not to have repayment clauses in a relocation package.

Was there nothing that documented what you could and could not claim and which bits were taxable.

FireWyrm

Tricky. You cant speak to your employer without tipping them off, but I would be extremely surprised if they did say "yeah, you go ahead and leave, dont worry about the thousands we spent relocating you"....


My guess is that you are probably indentured for some period of time and you need to know what that is. Either that or be prepared to pay back the entire relocation package you were given. I would suspect that under a year, they would expect the lot back. It could be as long as several years. It certainly works like that for professional qualifications that are funded by an employer. There is a sliding scale of repayment dependent on time. It is part of the reason why I never agree to having professional qualifications funded by an employer.

JonathanJ

The whole relocation was very rushed, literally everything was decided agreed and I'd moved in under 2 months!
I was moved over early as someone at the other site decided to leave with not much notice and I went to fill his boots...

I've literally never seen any terms and conditions of any sort relating to the relocation, let alone an indentured period. And certainly never signed anything.
Which kind of makes me think the company in their rush missed some details leaving me a loophole....?

All I had was a letter stating how much the relocation package was going to be with a thanks.
I was never actually given any actual money, it was all they paid directly whoever needed paying. Though I doubt that makes any difference.

Jon

FireWyrm

JonathanJ wrote: »

I've literally never seen any terms and conditions of any sort relating to the relocation, let alone an indentured period. And certainly never signed anything.
Which kind of makes me think the company in their rush missed some details leaving me a loophole....?

It is possible I guess. You could approach is obliquely with HR. For instance, go along and say something like "you know I relocated etc, can you give me any information on that for tax purposes and my own records"....

I would be extremely surprised if they did actually forget to add it to your contract. My guess is that you simply were not given the information, not that it doesnt exist. Did anyone else relocate with you? Do they have any information you could use to get an idea? Relocations tend to run into the thousands. Even if you did get away with it, I doubt they would be inclined to give you a glowing reference for instance. How much is that worth to you? If you stayed another two years, I would expect that you would be in the all clear, but you have only stayed well under a year. I would expect some sort of clawback. You could simply be prepared to pay it back and then tell them you are jumping and see what happens.

JonathanJ

Tbh I am totally unaware of what or if there are any tax issues to be thought about? Again, nothing has ever been said to me....
I don't even have a contract of sorts, there is the company handbook which lays out the terms and conditions for all staff.
I had a read threw before I moved and it didn't even mention relocations. I'll have to download it again to check for any changes!

EDIT: Still has no mention of relocations

With something as important as relocation packages and there being an indentured period, surely I would have to actually sign something in agreement?

There was another guy who moved just after me, but he will be in much the same position.

The whole package wasn't vast sums, a couple of thousand... And the new job would be well worth giving it back for. But obviously I'd rather not....
And as for the reference, I can work around that simply without going threw HR, I'm friendly enough with most of lower management.

FireWyrm

JonathanJ wrote: »

Tbh I am totally unaware of what or if there are any tax issues to be thought about? Again, nothing has ever been said to me....

It doesnt have to. You have a suspicion it might, therefore you are investigating the possibility...it's an opening gambit.

JonathanJ wrote: »

I don't even have a contract of sorts, there is the company handbook which lays out the terms and conditions for all staff.

You should have one. You are entitled to it. Ask for it.

JonathanJ wrote: »

I had a read threw before I moved and it didn't even mention relocations. I'll have to download it again to check for any changes!

You need your specific contract. A generic one is useless.

JonathanJ wrote: »

With something as important as relocation packages and there being an indentured period, surely I would have to actually sign something in agreement?

Generally, it is included in the contract. I have on occasion seen such a thing but never had anything personal to do with them.

JonathanJ wrote: »

There was another guy who moved just after me, but he will be in much the same position.

Have you asked him?

JonathanJ wrote: »

The whole package wasn't vast sums, a couple of thousand... And the new job would be well worth giving it back for. But obviously I'd rather not....

Of course you wouldnt...but be prepared and dont be surprised if the question does come out.

JonathanJ wrote: »

And as for the reference, I can work around that simply without going [STRIKE]threw[/STRIKE] through HR, I'm friendly enough with most of lower management.

To be honest, references have never been an issue to me. I have left jobs with no reference at all and walked straight into another, but that is a happy side effect of the very small business I am in and the lack of qualified personnel. Others may find it harder without an appropriate reference. Having said that, they seem to be far less relevant these days than they were. Most companies seem to prefer to get their own opinion on a prospective employee. The lack of a reference wouldnt bother me in the slightest, but it is definitely a consideration for some.

JonathanJ

Will have to tread carefully I think and see what can be found out.
I've sent off and email to HR...

References aren't all that critical in my line of work either. I've always been asked for them, but I know on several occasions when moving jobs they have never actually been followed up.
It's quite a niche industry and experienced people are hard to find.

Jon

getmore4less

FireWyrm wrote: »

I would be extremely surprised if they did actually forget to add it to your contract. My guess is that you simply were not given the information, not that it doesnt exist.

Not given it(verbaly or in writing) then it is not part of the contract.

JonathanJ

The original letter I received outlining the package and change of where I'll be working did make reference to "attached terms and conditions"
But they were never actually attached...
I did ask for them previously, but never got anything back. I've asked again!

A quick phone call to ACAS and they told me a signature isn't required. I can be deemed as agreeing to the conditions by simply accepting the packaging and moving.

JonathanJ

Proof is in the pudding....

HR have got back to me and sent me a copy of my contract, copies of the letters and conditions relating to my job and the relocation.

There is not a single mention of any indentured periods, any circumstances where it might have to be returned. Not a single thing at all!!