Work Training Terms

[Gzero]

So my work place asked me if I'd like to go on a Microsoft course (verbally, informally). I wasn't exactly enthusiastic about it but agreed.

I've been to 2 modules and the 3rd module is coming up.

It wasn't cheap for me to travel to the place of training and it definitely wasn't on the way to work, so I put in a travel expenses claim.

They now want me to sign a form that says I accept their terms.

Their terms are that for 18 months, if I change or leave my employer I would be expected to reimburse them for the course fee (I'll need to check the form what it says in terms of redundancy) as I quickly glanced through it.

I haven't sat either module tests.

I feel I should just 'forget' about the form and see what happens?


I would like to continue working there, but the sting this course brings if I want to leave in 6 months time (very possible due to certain individuals dragging the ship down).

 

[Hades]

I would not sign it myself. What happens if they fire you or make you redundant?

 

[ci_newman]

Contracts like that are very common if a workplace has sponsored you on official training courses. For reference, what course is it?

Really need to know the finer details of the agreement though.

 

[beamer]

Very common now, with the labour market as it is and mug employees accepting/supporting such. Barely seen 10 years ago and no such thing 20+ years ago. Same with the ludicrous zero hour contracts.

Employers are taking the **** the way they exploit employees now-a-days. Just one of the many ways our standard of living is being eroded.

Your employer wanted you on the course, so they can profit from the work you do for them, as a result of the skills and knowledge you gain.

How likely are they to sack you if you refuse to agree ?

Can you negotiate them down from 18 months to something much less ?

Contracts like that are very common if a workplace has sponsored you on official training courses. For reference, what course is it?

Really need to know the finer details of the agreement though.

 

[dowie]

surprised they didn't mention this at the start and/or you didn't ask - tis quite common...

then again you've started the courses now - you could negotiate I guess...

 

[Deleted member 66701]

What happens if they fire you or make you redundant?

You wont have to pay if they fire you or make you redundant.

If they tried, an employment tribunal would laugh their actions out of court as an "unfair term"*


*Unfair term - a item in a contract that is unreasonable. I.e. you could sign a contract giving your boss the right to slap you across the face every 2nd Thursday of the month. I.e. Just because it's in your contract doesn't mean it has any standing.


FYI op - I had a term in my contract where I'd have to pay the costs of Siebel training back if I left in 18 months - very common. In the end I left on voluntary terms 15 months later to retire and I didn't have to pay it back (as the voluntary round preceded the compulsory round).

 

[[FnG]magnolia]

They seem to have offered the course to you and now want you to sign up to terms you're uncomfortable with after the course has started. That would seem a bit back to front to me in my professional capacity as not a lawyer.

 

[Rotty]

if it was at their suggestion then no way would I sign it

 

[Pestilence]

Terms such as these are pretty common these days, but as has been said the norm would be that you'd accept and sign any conditions BEFORE beginning the course. Seems a bit untoward that they'd suddenly spring it.

I wouldn't worry about redundancy, as I wouldn't expect it to be seen as reasonable in those circumstances to expect return payment, but I certainly wouldn't be signing it if you do think you'd be expecting to leave at some point soon. Eighteen months is a while.

 

[Gzero]

Contracts like that are very common if a workplace has sponsored you on official training courses. For reference, what course is it?

Really need to know the finer details of the agreement though.

The MS Windows Server 2012 (snore fest). I didn't think it cost £1k for 15 days of boring book reading. I know the tests are provided for, but no one has told me any info on how to get myself down to a test centre that an expensive train trip away (not doing it on the last day as I found out early on I nearly nod off from not really being a morning person getting up at 6am, not exactly a great state of mind to do problem solving/memory exams).

Terms such as these are pretty common these days, but as has been said the norm would be that you'd accept and sign any conditions BEFORE beginning the course. Seems a bit untoward that they'd suddenly spring it.

I wouldn't worry about redundancy, as I wouldn't expect it to be seen as reasonable in those circumstances to expect return payment, but I certainly wouldn't be signing it if you do think you'd be expecting to leave at some point soon. Eighteen months is a while.

We are working on an almost skeleton crew. Every team lost at least one member in the redundancy wave last year October.

I don't think they could fire me over it as I've been with the company since 2012 and have seen co-workers stay even after absurd behaviour (one of my team members had a hotel booked for his course, but he lied to the trainers saying he had a emergency work call whilst telling work he wasn't feeling well, and so he got called back into the office pronto after that but is still employed amongst other shenanigans).

I was originally thinking, great I'll use this course as a way to talk about my accomplishments etc and aim for a pay rise from my non existent performance review...

It really does feel like a lock in mechanism so I can't leave (why should I pay them 1k if I don't feel the course was worth it). Although at the same time I want to be tactful on how I approach this as my boss is great, if I work overtime (the overtime funding bucket got slashed with redundancies), I can ask for the time back whenever I want within reason.

To make matters worse/better, the 3rd module is booked for next week.