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Original poster

What do you think of having to repay training costs?

60 replies

Mapoftheproblematique · 27/07/2023 09:31

A job which requires 6 days of in-house training and approx 5 hours of online training. I think this is paid in a lump sum of approx £300 (so below min wage) and this is not paid until after you've completed probation.
If you leave the company within a year, you are liable to repay all costs to the employer.
Do you think this is right/fair? I assume it's deducted from your wages, but if you leave before starting then I'm not sure how they recover the costs?
I've never experienced this before.

OP posts:
Catspyjamas17 · 27/07/2023 12:34

It's not unusual to recoup costs.

It is unusual to ask the employee to pay upfront. You should not have to pay for workplace training.

bernieaa · 27/07/2023 12:34

Catspyjamas17 · 27/07/2023 12:34

It's not unusual to recoup costs.

It is unusual to ask the employee to pay upfront. You should not have to pay for workplace training.

You are confusing mandatory training with personal development

titchy · 27/07/2023 12:35

Mapoftheproblematique · 27/07/2023 09:35

I do understand that, However the training isn't official in this case, no certificates are issued etc. There's literally no proof you've completed the training (except for the e learning) .

Then don't do it. 🤷‍♀️

Whataretheodds · 27/07/2023 12:36

Cheesusisgrate · 27/07/2023 09:41

Your problem isn't the training !

Show quote history

Exactly. Having to repay training costs if you leave early is one thing.

What you've experienced is the company expecting you to work (train) unpaid. That's not something I'm familiar with.

titchy · 27/07/2023 12:37

Sorry missed the full context. Yes that's bad. Hopefully ACAS will advise.

Catspyjamas17 · 27/07/2023 12:39

I think I'm confusing whether the OP has had to pay upfront.

If it's onboarding training this should never be recouped. What a croc.

Crazycockapoop · 27/07/2023 12:45

Shallana · 27/07/2023 12:18

Something to be aware of is that mandatory training costs are offset against National Minimum Wage. Therefore, if you are paid close to NMW, and the deduction would mean that, for that pay period, you would earn less than NMW for the hours worked, your employer wouldn't be able to make the deduction.

E.g you work 120 hours in a month at £10.50 per hour, earning £1260. £300 is deducted for training so you are paid £960, meaning you have only been paid £8 per hour - less than NMW. (Figures are approx, deduction would be after tax).

This.
what they are proposing is illegal. You must be paid at least minimum wage for any hours worked (including mandatory training) and they can only make deductions for their costs if you leave, if this will not take you below minimum wage for the hours worked.
I work in care and strongly advise that you avoid a company who is operating this way like the plague as, no doubt, they will be screwing you over in other ways too.
I do sympathise with the business as they have probably been stung on many occasions with having to pay people for a week of training who then disappear into the sunset but the law is the law!

Justashley · 27/07/2023 12:48

I haven't ever worked in the private sector so it's alien to me to expect employees to do mandatory training which they presumably require in order to commence the role, which doesn't result in an industry recognised formal qualification, and them have to pay it back. For additional and developmental qualifications then sure, but it's basically saying no one can leave in the first year without being penalised. I know the armed forces etc require a minimum return of service, but the training is much more thorough, expensive and time consuming.

NeedToChangeName · 27/07/2023 12:52

gallop17 · 27/07/2023 09:59

In my experience, I've had it in my contract where additional higher education qualifications have had a work back clause, usually reducing in percentage over time, training I have asked to do to improve my development.

But I wouldn't be happy to see it for mandatory training the employer requires me to do, I've not come across that personally.

Agree with this

Sounds like induction training. That should be paid as wages, and not repaid if you leave

bernieaa · 27/07/2023 13:41

Justashley · 27/07/2023 12:48

I haven't ever worked in the private sector so it's alien to me to expect employees to do mandatory training which they presumably require in order to commence the role, which doesn't result in an industry recognised formal qualification, and them have to pay it back. For additional and developmental qualifications then sure, but it's basically saying no one can leave in the first year without being penalised. I know the armed forces etc require a minimum return of service, but the training is much more thorough, expensive and time consuming.

Armed services aren't protected by the same employment law

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