Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is DS17s employer unreasonable to take the cost of his driving lessons out of his pay?

36 replies

Kyffin · 09/03/2026 18:19

As above really.

DS17 had a job. His employer contributed £250 towards the cost of his driving lessons. DS has left the job due to being bullied by one manager and being bored due to the lack of work. He was stood about trying to look busy.

Big boss man has come back off holiday on DS's last day and told DS that he will take the £250 out of his wages.

There is nothing related to the contribution towards driving lessons in his contract.

Is he allowed to do this? I mean I guess he can do what he likes but can we seek legal advice? Is there a point?

Thanks for reading.

OP posts:
Barrenfieldoffucks · 09/03/2026 18:55

There is something around minimum wage however, deductions can't being salary down below it. But I'm not sure if that counts in this sort of thing.

Lucyccfc68 · 09/03/2026 18:55

Pricelessadvice · 09/03/2026 18:52

Most of the time, you either have to stay for X amount of time, or pay the money back.

You can’t expect them to pay when they won’t be getting the benefit of it.

And this needs to be put in writing in an agreement and the employee and employer signs it.

I would never have been able to ask payroll to deduct money for something like this (or training or qualifications) unless there was a written agreement in place.

Comefromaway · 09/03/2026 18:54

I work in payroll & HR. Unless there was a written agreement they cannot do this. It would be unlawful deduction of wages. They especially can’t do it if it would take him under National Minimum Wage levels.

Enyastar · 09/03/2026 18:53

How long did he work there?

Pricelessadvice · 09/03/2026 18:52

Most of the time, you either have to stay for X amount of time, or pay the money back.

You can’t expect them to pay when they won’t be getting the benefit of it.

KnickerlessParsons · 09/03/2026 18:51

Morally, if not legally, your son should give the money back IMO.

Barrenfieldoffucks · 09/03/2026 18:48

Is he still going to have the driving lessons? Or has had them? If he is still going to be benefitting from them it sounds fair that it is deducted, especially as he chose to leave.

faerylights · 09/03/2026 18:47

It's fairly normal for any employer contributions like that to be paid back if you leave within x amount of time.

ColdAsAWitches · 09/03/2026 18:44

Anywhere I worked had a training agreement you would sign if the training gave you any sort of recognized certificate. You agreed to pay the cost back if you left within a certain time period, usually is a year to eighteen months

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 09/03/2026 18:23

What was the job? Personally I think I’d leave it, it sounds like the driving lesson money was in addition to the actual wages and when your ds resigned they understandably changed their mind about that bonus 🤷‍♀️

Lightuptheroom · 09/03/2026 18:22

Normally there's something in writing that you have to stay in a job for x amount of time otherwise the 'benefit' (in this case driving lessons) has to be repaid. Employers normally word it as training or employee benefits rather than specifics. Check his contract but be aware that doing legal battle over £250 would probably cost more than that

Swipe left for the next trending thread