Payback course fees

charlie_2015

Just after a bit of advice if possible.


I have worked for my employer for just under 2 years. I was promoted to a new role within the same company around 5 months ago. Part of this role is to attend college on block release. I started the college course 4 months ago. I have recently found out I am pregnant and informed my employer. My employer has now presented me with a contract that stipulates I will have to pay back the course fees should I leave the company or drop out of college.


Is this fair? I was never informed about paying back course fees until now.


Any help would be great


Thank you

Guest101

charlie_2015 wrote: »

Just after a bit of advice if possible.


I have worked for my employer for just under 2 years. How far under 2 years? I was promoted to a new role within the same company around 5 months ago. Part of this role is to attend college on block release. how long left on course? I started the college course 4 months ago. I have recently found out I am pregnant and informed my employer. My employer has now presented me with a contract that stipulates I will have to pay back the course fees should I leave the company or drop out of college. - more info required, see below


Is this fair? I was never informed about paying back course fees until now. - Well is this a contract you signed?


Any help would be great


Thank you

Presumebly you are staying at the company and looking to take maternity?


1: does the contract have a breakdown of when the fees are due. Typically this might be year 1 100% of the fee, year 2 75% etc.


2: if you started 4 months ago, just found out your pregnant (so 12 weeks?) you have 6 months left of presumably both the course and the pregnancy? So that should fit in.

agrinnall

Have a look at this thread from 2015, particularly posts #9, #14 and #20.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5287524

charlie_2015

Yes intend to stay at the company and take maternity leave. My main concern is that this contract seems to have only appeared after I announced I was pregnant - I had no prior knowledge of this until after I informed my employer.


I fully intend to complete the course, albeit have a year out maternity.

Guest101 wrote: »

Presumebly you are staying at the company and looking to take maternity?


1: does the contract have a breakdown of when the fees are due. Typically this might be year 1 100% of the fee, year 2 75% etc.


2: if you started 4 months ago, just found out your pregnant (so 12 weeks?) you have 6 months left of presumably both the course and the pregnancy? So that should fit in.

Guest101

charlie_2015 wrote: »

Yes intend to stay at the company and take maternity leave. My main concern is that this contract seems to have only appeared after I announced I was pregnant - I had no prior knowledge of this until after I informed my employer.


I fully intend to complete the course, albeit have a year out maternity.

So you didn't sign this contract? or is this actually a policy they've presented?


since you aren't leaving, presumably they aren't going to deduct anything?

charlie_2015

No nothing has been signed as of yet. Sorry I probably haven't explained this very well...


They have accepted the fact I will be taking a gap year, that is not the point I am trying to make. I am going to complete my first year, take a gap year and then finish my second year.


The point I am trying to make is a couple of days after I informed my employer I was pregnant, they presented me with a form to sign (I have not signed this yet) which states if for whatever reason I drop out of college or leave my job, I am to pay back the course fees. I had no knowledge of this beforehand.


They are essentially leaving me no choice as I have already started the course. I would have seriously considered whether to sign the contract if I was presented with it before I started the course.

Guest101

Oh I see, this is quite common.


Partly I asked how short of 2 years, is because if you don't sign it, you could just be let go. And it wouldn't actually be protected by equality law, since you aren't being sacked due to your pregnancy.


Obviously both college and employer need to make adjustment to you situation.

agrinnall

charlie_2015 wrote: »

The point I am trying to make is a couple of days after I informed my employer I was pregnant, they presented me with a form to sign (I have not signed this yet) which states if for whatever reason I drop out of college or leave my job, I am to pay back the course fees. I had no knowledge of this beforehand.

That seems to be a similiar scenario to the one in the thread I linked to in my previous post, so once again I suggest you read that.

charlie_2015

I still don't think I have helped you understand my point


There was no contract in place for me to pay back the course fees before they found out I was pregnant.


I almost feel they are asking me to sign this as they are questioning whether I will finish the course after having a child. I don't think they would have asked me if I didn't inform them I was pregnant.

charlie_2015

agrinnall wrote: »

That seems to be a similiar scenario to the one in the thread I linked to in my previous post, so once again I suggest you read that.

OK thank you, I will have a read.

Oakdene

Its a normal occurrence...

When I did my chartered accountancy training my employer got me to sign a form stating if I leave within a certain period upon completion I agree to pay back:
100% of fees in less than 12 months
80% of fees if 1 - 2 years
50% of fees for 2-3 years
20% of fees for 3-4 years

They are just protecting thier investment as you could qualify & move to a rival company.