to think this contract is a load of nonsense?

[strawberryangel]

DH's employer has recently taken on some new employees. In their contract, it says that if they leave the company within 1 year of taking the job they have to pay £1500.

AIBU to think that this isn't legal?

In a previous job we had to pay back training costs if we left before 6 months. Fast forward 6 months and80% off staff left. Massive turnover.

It's normal if you have expensive training, especially if that training enhances your CV.
I have taken contracts like this and had a sliding scale of costs to pay back if I had left within certain time frames. No-one has to sign a contract.

Golden handcuffs - probably legal depending on how it is structured and whether there are any clauses allowing for illness/injury other unforeseen circumstances (although I am by no means an expert, but have worked in sectors where this kind of contract is relatively common). Depending on the industry, the cost of recruiting and training a member of staff (including the time and money lost by staff involved in training and the loss of business before a new employee is 'up to speed') will usually far exceed £1,500.

We have a pay back sliding scale for training cost. Recent new employee needs £4k training to finish qualifying, we think he is worth it but certainly don't want him to qualify and then leave, ours is for the first year.

Sorry just to add he will be in probation for the first 6 months and then commence training so pay back is after first 6 months and for the following year.

Didn't make that very clear!

Agree that if it is for training/exams/qualifications then it is fine.

What sort of job is it?

It's an admin position- no expensive training, certainly nor training that is in any way accredited.

I know of a company who makes you pay back £8000 for a masters degree if you leave within 3 YEARS. Crazy and not legal I don't think as it's a long period and not on a sliding scale.

How much is the salary? Would the employee(s) even be able to afford that? For an admin position, that would be effectively docking more than a month's wages - particularly tricky if the notice period isn't more than a month.

where they recruited through an agency, and that is the agency fee?

(grasping at straws)

Not a bad idea really. Perhaps the NHS could introduce a contract for doctors and nurses, saying that all their training fees should be repaid if they leave the country before, say, 10 years has passed.

Doctors do pay for a degree.