Repaying training costs ... advice pls!!!

[Helpme1010]

Was employed by a company who paid training costs but wanted to leave so new company paid off training costs but I had to sign a contract saying I’d repay if I leave within 2 years. Current company have led me on, not paying me what I first thought and are using my fees to under pay me massively, where do I stand ? Surely I can’t be held to ransom over some fees ( I haven’t got the money to repay )

What do you mean by "and are using my fees to under pay me massively" OP?

It sounds like you've signed a training agreement, which is a form of contract, so yes you are bound by the terms it sets out, which probably include the fact that if you leave you'll be required to repay them in full.

With regards to not paying you what you thought, did you not receive a formal offer/sign a contract when you began working for your new employer? Both of these documents are there for your protection and outline the terms under which you accepted the employment

I’m aware of all that, I’m wondering where I stand with them under paying me as they know I can’t leave due to the fees.
Can’t go into too much detail as outing but they promised x,y and z and now are backtracking, unfortunately nothing is in writing.

You entered into a new job, without any formal written contract of your own pay?

Good luck challenging that one.

Sorry to be blunt OP, but this looks like one of lifes lessons for you.

No I didn’t say that. I had a contract saying my basic salary but in my work its mainly over time/bonuses. I was told I’d get this from starting, then they backtracked once contract was signed, then I was told in a few months, then they back tracked again, but yes life lesson should have had that in writing

@helpme1010 - Sadly, I think that this one is to be chalked up to a lesson. If they had provided written confirmatory of OT etc, then you may have a case. However, looks like they painted a picture of a job that in reality wasn't quite so.

Do you have home insurance with legal cover? May be worth a call. However, on the face of it, you are not in a great position.

This is why you shouldn't be reliant on discretionary income like overtime and bonuses. I've worked places with that caution in contracts.

Unfortunately in this industry the only way to ever make money is over time and bonuses ☹️ Which is why it’s hard choosing a company, do you go with average basic pay with not much opportunity of over time or low basic but promise of over time? You can never compare the income it’s massively confusing 🙁 but that is exactly the case @fromdownwest and frustratingly other employees are receiving it all.

It's not underpaying you to pay you what was contractually agreed. And they're not holding you to ransom over the fees.

If you signed a contract saying you have to pay the fees back if you leave, you have to pay the fees back if you leave.

What industry makes it impossible for you to make money without overtime and bonuses? Surely your basic salary is money that you make, and you aren't spending your own money to do your job unless you are self-employed.

How much is it? The training cost?

Unless you can prove dishonesty from them, I don't think you'll have any case. Even if you can prove it, it's still no guarantee.

(Proof would have to be in writing. Watch out, the company could block you from emails and documents on their systems, and might also have rules against you printing them or taking/sending files away.)

A new employer may be willing to compensate you for the current employers training costs, especially if the training is something with an externally-accredited and widely looked-for certification.