I just resigned! AIBU to not pay for work course before leaving

[Hellomumsne]

I have a dilemma I could use some help with.

My job offered for me to go on a very expensive (£4500) course a few months ago. They actually persuaded me to do it and said they'd love for me to have the chance...

At the time I said I've already studied said subject so I wasnt sure I needed it. And I also asked if there were any conditions and was told no.

There's a bit of a back story with a bit of a rubbish and absent manager who's quite clueless... also a little bullying and unfair treatment.

So I've just accepted a new job which unluckily I was offered while doing the course.

I resigned and have now been asked by literally furious manager to pay back the money or face legal action.

It would be easier for the sake of peace to pay back but I would need to take it from my mortgage.

One friend advised me to pay it back for peace. Another advised me to no way pay it back and go to Citizens Advice.

I have no idea. AIBU to walk away without paying (and face legal action)... or should I just take the hit and pay?

You are right daisy, I've only worked for large companies and they always give basic references regardless.
But you are right they could refuse to give to one although a brief note stating dates worked and reason for leaving is pretty normal.

@Hellomumsne dont offer part payment to keep the peace. Honestly, it will just be money down the drain as the manager will simply find something else to be angry about. You making a payment would be seen by the manager as a tacit admission of wrongdoing leaving to vulnerable to more blaming (for anything from the printer not working to the price of fish)

Remember that in a very short time you will be walking out for the last time and shaking the dust of the place out of your shoes.

It probably depends on the industry. All companies I have worked for had a policy of not giving personal references. Less trouble all round.

@marchez not true. Most employment contracts state clearly that you will be expected to reimburse training costs if you leave within a certain timeframe. Or don’t go due to resigning if it’s not refundable.

Most places have a policy for staff training fees where you need to pay back a proportion of the cost based on how long after the training you leave. You resigned the following week. You knew you were looking for another job and this was a possibility.
Morally, I could not do this, myself. Lots of PPs say it's ok as it's not in your contract... well... if that makes it better...

@Tistheseason17.. The OP was pressurised into accepting the course by her employer in April, when the course was turned down by another employee who subsequently left. How could she knew she'd be resigning to take another job in November?
She was not job hunting at that time. But when she did start job hunting there were over 200 applicants for the job she was eventually offered and she applied for practice, thinking the chances of getting it were very slim. She was offered the job whilst on the course.
The course was not relevant to her work, she'd already had similar training and told them so, she asked if the course topic would become part of her work and was told no. She asked very clearly if there were any conditions to accepting the course and they said no but then have since accused her of lying.
At the same time, there were other issues such as being passed over for promotion, and parts of her job being handed off to others without discussion - so there was good reason to worry about job insecurity - and a less qualified member of staff she'd previously told them had bullied her was appointed as her direct boss.
Given the circumstances, I don't think the employer would win the morality argument.

@DuckbilledSplatterPuff - I have rtft thanks.

OP could have said no to the course - she is an adult and plenty of MN posters will tell people that No is a full sentence.
We simply have differing views. Best wishes

Training contracts may contain requirement to repay training costs but I have never come across a normal employment contract with this stipulation.

I see nothing immoral in leaving shortly after a training course, especially one which the OP didnt seek out. Employers are owed no more and no less loyalty than they show their employees.

@DuckBilledSplatterPuff summarises the whole situation brilliantly. OP I’d use this as the framework for an email back to them setting out the reasons you will not be paying the money back.

Enjoy your new job.

@Tistheseason17 . Thank you. Just to say that my comments were directed at the company's behaviour, sorry if that didn't come across, and of course you are entitled to your views. Best wishes

I would expect there to be an agreement specific to funding the training, e.g. if you leave employment within 12 months of completion, you will be expected to pay back x %. Unless specified otherwise, provision of this type of training would be unlikely to form part of your employment contract and should be subject to a separate arrangement
I would state that you were coerced (bullied) into taking the training, and can demonstrate it was unnecessary as you already have a relevant qualification in said subject. If there is backstory, do a Subject Access Request asking for anything they have in writing in relation to your employment. State you will not accept an unlawful deduction from your salary, and should they decide to take action against you, you will defend on the basis that you were assured there would be no conditions attached to you taking a course you had specifically said you didn't wish to take. That would be my position (and I have been in management, HR, union and personal situations in such situations) based on what little I know of your situation.