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Original poster

Employer refusing to honour company benefit

57 replies

Memo88 · 12/12/2025 22:56

A HR question really, but would love people’s thoughts!

I am leaving my current company at Christmas, with my last day being the 31st December, I begin my new job on the 5th January. In my role I need to hold a professional subscription which renews on the 31s December (I have to pay on the 31st or before). As part of my company benefits, they pay for my professional subscription, which is £225 this year.

I paid this a few days ago and submitted it as part of my expenses, however I received an email today from the person responsible for approving expenses that this would not be paid as I’ll not be an employee next year. If it’s relevant the person is the owner’s wife, she copied in the owner, the MD and accounts but not HR. Also for background the company turned over in excess of £100m last year.

My understanding is that my benefits continue until I leave and as this payment is due before then, I should be entitled to claim?

I’m really interested to hear what others would do - leave it and accept that I’ll be paying the £225, or fight back?

OP posts:
ClaraTheLongDistanceLorryDriver · 12/12/2025 22:58

But the membership is for 2026, and you won’t be an employee then. ask your new employer.

momager22 · 12/12/2025 22:59

what does your contract say? Benefits generally are honored during notice period but this applies to holiday accrual etc. if it’s a professional subscription to cover a period after you’ve left the role I don’t see why they would pay it ?

HateThese4Leggedbeasts · 12/12/2025 22:59

Whilst payment is due on 31 Dec, is it not the subscription for 2026? Most professional subscriptions are payable in advance and you won't be an employee then.

Can you pay it late and ask your new employer to pay? That is what I would do

Imisscoffee2021 · 12/12/2025 22:59

It's a tricky one in a sense as yes you're still technically an employee, but basically their payment benefits another company essentially because they pay then you literally leave the next day.

JDM625 · 12/12/2025 23:03

I too have a professional subscription. My current company turn over more than yours- and they DON'T pay for my subscription, even though I can't do my job without it. Some previous companies have paid it, but not all. I do claim tax relief on it though.

I would have thought that any perks and payments like that stop once you hand in your resignation! I'm not in HR nor know the legalities, but why should they pay for your next years subscription when you won't be working there?

Original poster
Memo88 · 12/12/2025 23:06

To clarify, my contract (and leavers letter) states that all benefits continue until I leave the company, including during my three month notice period.

It is a subscription for next year, that’s true, but when I joined part way through the year, they effectively benefitted from my existing subscription.

OP posts:
Apfelkuchen · 12/12/2025 23:08

Guessing this is a non contractual benefit, but in any case, the subscription is for 2026. My employer would not pay if you were under notice.

Alpacajigsaw · 12/12/2025 23:10

I wouldn’t expect It to be paid. It’s less a “benefit” of employment, but more something necessary for you to do your job, hence why your employer pays for it.

PhilosophicalCheeseSandwich · 12/12/2025 23:11

All benefits continue until you leave the company. The membership ie the benefit, won't start until after you've left. Honestly, you must know why this shouldn't be paid for by your current employer.

Viviennemary · 12/12/2025 23:13

I don't think you can expect them to pay for your next year's membership when you won't even be working there. Ask your new employers to pay.

RendeersDancingTowardsChristmas · 12/12/2025 23:14

I agree, the subscription is for 2026 and I assume it starts on 1st January 2026. I don't think they need to pay as you won't be employed by them in 2026.

LarryMiddleman · 12/12/2025 23:21

Sorry OP but it's pretty obvious that they shouldn't pay this. If I were your boss I would've considered your expense application an absolute piss take, to be honest.

Smidge001 · 12/12/2025 23:40

Completely agree with everyone - this is for 2026 and there's no way you can expect your current employer to pay for it.

Keep hold of a copy of the invoice and claim it through expenses at the new job. The new company is the one who will benefit from your subscription, not the existing mob.

(This is more of an accounting thing rather than HR anyway. The company needs to match the cost with the period they receive the benefit.)

FenceBooksCycle · 12/12/2025 23:46

Surely your new employer will pay it though?

I missed out not only on getting the annual Christmas Bonus (based on productivity and KPI targets that I'd worked my arse off for) but also wasn't included in the company Christmas party, because I had the temerity to resign in early December.

Maybe it's not reasonable but it's hardly surprising. If they were a good employer you'd probably not be leaving?

AsideFromThis · 12/12/2025 23:47

I’ve been in this position before and it was done as a pro rata.
Normally I paid the subscription and had it reimbursed as it was a requirement for my job. I had 3 months notice to work when it was due, so they reimbursed me 3/12 which was fair.
You won’t be working for them at all while the subscription is active so why should they pay it.

Astra53 · 12/12/2025 23:48

Your current company is not responsible for your 2026 subscription. The best you can hope for is that your new company reimburses you for 5th January to 31st December 2026.

DustlandFairytaleBeginning · 12/12/2025 23:54

Even if it were a contractual benefit that they'd absolutely would pay for this subscription whilst you were an employee under your contract, as I understand it you still have access to it for every day you work there? It makes no sense for them to pay for a subscription for a year's access they will not see any benefit from. It might be a bit hazier if you were leaving, say mid-Jan, but there is no overlap here at al!

SoldTheMovieRights · 13/12/2025 00:17

LarryMiddleman · 12/12/2025 23:21

Sorry OP but it's pretty obvious that they shouldn't pay this. If I were your boss I would've considered your expense application an absolute piss take, to be honest.

Edited

100% this

OnlyMabelInTheBuilding · 13/12/2025 03:13

Yeah, sorry but asking for this is majorly CF territory.

ladyamy · 13/12/2025 03:25

Why would they?

lalalalalala2024 · 13/12/2025 03:28

I Work in HR and we would not pay for this, I think it’s pretty cheeky to be honest.

WallaceinAnderland · 13/12/2025 03:34

It's a subscription for the year ahead and you won't be working for them so why should they pay it?

DoreensLemonDrizzle · 13/12/2025 03:37

That’s like taking company toilet paper home with you for a the wee that you’ll do a home from the drinks you drank during company time!

Squiggles23 · 13/12/2025 03:37

Sorry OP of course they won't pay that!

PollyBell · 13/12/2025 03:42

Memo88 · 12/12/2025 23:06

To clarify, my contract (and leavers letter) states that all benefits continue until I leave the company, including during my three month notice period.

It is a subscription for next year, that’s true, but when I joined part way through the year, they effectively benefitted from my existing subscription.

You can justify it however you want do you honestly think they would