Thread: paying back college fees sponsored by college when leaving

Hi all

A year a go my 'then' employer started to go into difficulty so I was forced to look for work before redundancy loomed, found another job and as I am currently studying my 'now' employer agreed to carry the fees for the last year of my course on the basis I signed up to a learning agreement (which I did). I am now 6 months into my employment with new employer and am not happy and have been approached by other firms for the same work. Issue I have is if I leave soon (which I hope to as I am really unhappy at this firm) they will take the one lump sum out of my final salary which will cause me financial hardship. Is the law on their side and that's their right to deduct as they choose or if I stated within my resignation that I would pay back in say 3 instalments, is that my legal right. Really don't know where I stand and would be grateful if people could share their knowledge or experience.

forgot to mention that the agreement states that fees paid by employer will be repayable if I leave within 2 years. I'm not looking for a get out of repaying just a grace card, note they are a huge International firm and it would not effect their bank balance if they agreed to this but I can't take the risk of resigning and them saying tough luck.

Thanks

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Hi there, If you have signed a learning agreement then I'm afraid you are bound by the terms and conditions of it. However, there is nothing to stop you appealing to their better nature and asking for time to pay it back.

Also you may be able to negotiate with a new employer to take over the fee amount. I have done this in the past, where we really wanted to employ someone but they were tied to a study agreement. We paid them a "joining bonus" (the amount they had to repay their old employer) which was repayable if they left within a year.

Hope this is helpful

Kind Regards

Ell-enn

Thank you Ell-enn for your speedy response, much appreciated.

Not the answer I was hoping for but at least I can prepare myself for worst case. I have a meeting with the new firm the end of the week and they're aware that I've entered into an agreement, I'll run it past them.

Fingers x'd.

Thank you

You're welcome, let us know what happens.

Kind Regards

Ell-enn

I will copy type the letter, here goes.

Following your recent discussions, I am pleased to confirm the arrangements for our sponsorship of your course.

We are willing to suuport your 'course title' and will cover the full annual cost of the course fees which we understand to be £855 (they're actually 725 but this was the colleges admin error not mine or employer).

The following conditions will apply to this sponsorship agreement:

• These payments are subject to you successfully completing your course and remaining with the company for a period of 2 years from its completion.
• You will be released from work one day per week to attend Bexley College. During college holidays you are required to attend work 5 days per week.
• You will be required to meet with your line manager quarterly to provide feedback on your studies and progress.
• There may be occassions when business priorities make it impossible for you to attend College. The company will ensure this will be kept to an absolute minimum and only implemented as a last resort.
• Pay reviews during this period of study will take into account the financial contribution and time off that you are being provided with.
• The Company reserves te right to ask for repayment of all fees paid should the course (and any examinations) not be successfully completed. You should provide confirmation of successful completion at the endof the course (including and certificates awarded). The company reserves the right to seek information on your performance in terms of assignments and examination results that you undertake thoughout the course.

Please sign the enclosed copy of this letter to indicate your agreement to the arrangements outlined.

I had an agreement with my previous firm and it was pretty much the same stuff.

Originally Posted by advisee

Can you post the text of this "learning agreement" please. There may be something that can be used in your favour....

Also, what is your contractual notice, and do your company usually make people work their notice period?

If I give notice in my first two years of service I have to give 1 months notice. I've only worked within a small team within a large company, the only leavers I've met have worked their full notice (2).

I met with my old boss today who is going to confirm an offer on Monday, the qualification is industry specific not employer. Going to wait until Monday and see what offer I get. I would rather not transfer the debt, I would prefer to pay it myself and not be tied to anyone just not in one go.

Am trying to contact acas but just goes onto answerphone, number i have is 08456 061600. Has anyone got another one?

Hi there Lihi, the ACAS helpline number is 08457 474747

I hope the new job offer is a good one for you


Kind Regards


Ell-enn

I hope so too.

On a different note my dyslexia was confirmed today, the issue with the company is the individuals refusal to take seriously my learning problems as it was only suspected and I've had to wait 5 months for formal tests. If the offer doesn't work out I will be speaking to hr and requesting an immediate relocation. My learning problems only became a serious issue as I have no secretarial support at the new firm but had shared a team pa at my last firm so was able to concentrate on the specifics of my role rather than the administration and I wasn't dumped in front of a client to fend for myself seriously denting my confidence and ability to demonstrate competence. To cut a long story short I am an assistant the company put me in a full manager role and charged me as that to the client without telling me or asking me if I felt I was ready for that step, the client has questioned my abilities due to the reasons already mentioned and my probation has been extended as a result.

The dyslexia guy that I sat with for hours today has given me comfort and is going to write a report to educate my immediate line manager and any other future manager of how to work with me rather than telling me to get lost and get on with it. I have an above average IQ, apparently left and right side of the brain are equal which means I can diversify in whatever I can do. I don't have the classic dsylexia, I can read and spell well, language is my problem, highlighted by college, change of career and then lack of secretarial support.

Phew feel better getting that off my chest. My downfall is that I am extremely impatient and fly off the handle quite easily, I have tolerated the individual for nearly 3 months as he is a new line manager as I knew I wouldn't be based with him forever but the probation extension has tipped me over the edge and now I hold nothing but contempt for the individual and the company for allowing him to act in this matter as his arguments against me are so weak even without the dyslexia.

Quick update.

My current employers have waived my college fees due to my reasons of leaving due to my line managers attitude and lack of support for my dyslexia. Good news but still an unhappy situation to have to have been in.

Thanks for your help people