Training costs

[sqirrel21]

We are currently drawing up new contracts for our guys, we will need to spend quite a lot on training them and considering doing a loyalty for money scheme, If we pay for the course, then if they leave immediately after they are qualified they pay the full costs, if they leave within 12 months they pay 50%, if they leave after 2 years they pay nothing, what do you think ? does anybody else do anything like this ?

[WorcsWuss]

That's fairly common practice, get it checked over before you get them to sign it but you should certainly have something like this in place.

[sqirrel21]

Is it legal ?

[madmatt]

I work for a government agency and its in our contracts and its percentaged based over 5 years. Having said that they only really enforce it on the much dearer courses like 360 digger, HGV, etc but if our employer does it, it must be legal!

[WorcsWuss]

Yes, entirely legal. You are investing in their work, if they take the tools you have given them for their job and leave without you getting any benefit it's basically the same as theft, just like buying a new saw for them which they decide they can earn more with elsewhere leaving you seeing neither them nor the saw again!

If you invest in them you are perfectly within your rights as an employer to contractually oblige your staff to provide you with a return to cover your investment.

Obviously you can't take the mick, but I would go with something like up to 1yr 100%, up to 2yrs 50%, after that you take the hit. If you're investing thousands then maybe double the time spans. I would guess you would earn enough out of them in that first year or two to pay off the training and then make some money out of them, seems fair to all involved

Edited February 8, 2012 by WorcsWuss

[sqirrel21]

Many thanks guys

Dave

[VEG]

It is legal as long as it is part of their contract of employment.

I used to drive busses and they did it with us we paid half of the training cost £10 per week.

[Leyburn Lad]

We are currently drawing up new contracts for our guys, we will need to spend quite a lot on training them and considering doing a loyalty for money scheme, If we pay for the course, then if they leave immediately after they are qualified they pay the full costs, if they leave within 12 months they pay 50%, if they leave after 2 years they pay nothing, what do you think ? does anybody else do anything like this ?

 

We found there is a loop hole in making staff pay back any training costs, if they require the training to carry out there role safely or can not carry out there duty on site with out correct training ie cs39 climbing, then you must provide the training and it is non refundable from the employee if they up sticks and clear off.

[treequip]

We found there is a loop hole in making staff pay back any training costs, if they require the training to carry out there role safely or can not carry out there duty on site with out correct training ie cs39 climbing, then you must provide the training and it is non refundable from the employee if they up sticks and clear off.

 

That one is a snag if they are the only climber and are required to do the work however if it comes under career development you can make it stick.

[treequip]

It is legal as long as it is part of their contract of employment.

I used to drive busses and they did it with us we paid half of the training cost £10 per week.

 

It doesn’t have to be in the contract at all, what you are describing is an employee contribution, the issue at hand is a training agreement where the employee doesn’t have to contribute unless they leave the employ before a specified time, any repayment is usually on a sliding scale diminishing over time.

 

Either situation can be handled with a formal agreement