Training course then leaving job

Arterion

Arterion

Arterion

Associate
Joined
14 Jan 2004
Posts
842
Location
Reading, UK
I have rather unexpectedly been offered a new job- I was essentially headhunted- and leaving my current one, even with notice, will cause them some issues with regard to staffing and operations, and the last thing I want to do is leave them in the lurch.

I just undertook a 3-day first aid course which was paid for by my current employer, and to hand in my notice after having done so seems an awful thing to do. Would there be any expectation on their part of me repaying them all or some of the cost of that course? Seeing as the qualification stands wherever I am, it seems like a fair thing to do.

Just wondering about other people's views on this.
 
It will be in your contract.
I had mine listed as any courses in last year 50%, 2years 33%.
But they never chased anyone for any payment after they left, i'd have been out 5k otherwise :(

You could always ask your new employeer if they would be willing to sub you! (If you were headhunted, shouldn't be too much of a problem)
 
If you didn't agree in advance (contractually or specifically for this course) that you would be liable for any part of the training cost, there's nothing they can do. This is something to check in your contract, or anything you signed before going.

AFAIK, IANAL, etc.
 
Most companies have a clause in their contract. Ours is 100% of the cost for the first year and then a sliding scale afterwards.

If there is nothing in the contract there is nothing they can do.
 
A first aid course would normally be done at behest of the employer, so I would not fell guilty about leaving just after finishing it.

And never fall into the trap of feeling indespensible - no-one ever is. Makes you feel beholden to the company but also that they owe you. Neither is ever true.

If you like the company you are with, then discuss the new offer with them and see if you can get a raise/promotion out of it. Otherwise give notice and move on.
 
At the end of the day, look after number one. I am sure they will cope if not they are not a very good company.

Leave the job and don't worry about paying for the course unless chased. IMO.
 
Yeah, seems like a weird policy to have to pay back a percentage of the training if you leave soon after.

I was sent on some courses in the year before I left but I didn't want to do them and woulnt have paid a penny for the course if it wasnt something work wanted me to do.

It leaves you in a delicate place as most jobs want you to do training that is beneficial to themselves rather than yourself. I would feel a little miffed if they wanted to charge me for training that I wouldnt have chosen to do.
 
fez said:
Yeah, seems like a weird policy to have to pay back a percentage of the training if you leave soon after.

I was sent on some courses in the year before I left but I didn't want to do them and woulnt have paid a penny for the course if it wasnt something work wanted me to do.

It leaves you in a delicate place as most jobs want you to do training that is beneficial to themselves rather than yourself. I would feel a little miffed if they wanted to charge me for training that I wouldnt have chosen to do.
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It's not uncommon at all, but usually for training where you will receive a worthwile qualification rather than just arbitrary training. It's intended purposes is for companies that will essentially train you up, to try and tie you in for a period so they can get use out of your training. They're hard (or at least uncommon) to get watertight though, things like the company can only charge you exactly what they paid, and that amount needs to be in the agreement you've signed off on etc. There is also a fair amount of stuff that has to be reasonable irrespective of if you've signed or not.
 
Showboat said:
It will be in your contract.
I had mine listed as any courses in last year 50%, 2years 33%.
But they never chased anyone for any payment after they left, i'd have been out 5k otherwise :(
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I wish that had happened to be. I was 2.5k out of pocket when I left my last job. 33% of my MCSE + CCNA. It was around this time of year as well, not a good Christmas present...

OP check your contract...
 
Standard practise for employers to deduct monies from employees if they leave. They have spent time and money and have invested in you. It is only fair that you should pay them back if you leave to go elsewhere.

I had someone do exactly that and threatened to sue me as I deducted the monies from their wages, they got in touch with ACAS who tried to get me to agree to give back the money and then tried to negotiate 50% It was in their contract which they agreed to so basically told the to Jog on.
 
fez said:
Yeah, seems like a weird policy to have to pay back a percentage of the training if you leave soon after.

I was sent on some courses in the year before I left but I didn't want to do them and woulnt have paid a penny for the course if it wasnt something work wanted me to do.

It leaves you in a delicate place as most jobs want you to do training that is beneficial to themselves rather than yourself. I would feel a little miffed if they wanted to charge me for training that I wouldnt have chosen to do.
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Obviously specific training relative to the company you work for is hard to justify.

However things linke first aid, accountancy, cad design, H&S etc where the certificate/training is applicable in many other jobs it is fair. Don't forget that this kind of training normally results in you getting paid more or may be the very reason you got the job with the new company.

Who as an employer wants to spend £5000 training somebody just for them to leave to work elsewhere as soon as they are qualified?

In our workplace you get an extra £250 per year for being a first aider so if you left within a year and had the £130 cost of the course deducted then it's fair.
 
Begbie said:
At the end of the day, look after number one. I am sure they will cope if not they are not a very good company.

Leave the job and don't worry about paying for the course unless chased. IMO.
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This ^

I was at my last place for going on 12 years before they made the whole dept redundant before awarding themselves pay rises. I've learned the hard way because I was loyal to them, worked for free some months when things were bad and it was pretty much for nothing, I'm even having to fight them for redundancy payment.

Look after no. 1 and don't care about the company because it does'nt care about you.
 
wnb said:
Standard practise for employers to deduct monies from employees if they leave. They have spent time and money and have invested in you. It is only fair that you should pay them back if you leave to go elsewhere.

I had someone do exactly that and threatened to sue me as I deducted the monies from their wages, they got in touch with ACAS who tried to get me to agree to give back the money and then tried to negotiate 50% It was in their contract which they agreed to so basically told the to Jog on.
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Dredging up an old thread, but what about if you had signed a learning agreement, left the company and they wanted you pay it back out of your final salary. Mitigated that by telling them you would pay it back within 6 months of leaving (and signed another agreement...)

The intial learning contract was signed retrospectively of the training, and never stipulated a cost.

Would you pay the money back, 6 months on? What action could the employer take, and would it be worth their while for < 2k?
 
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