Employer wants paying for IPAF course

[edexlab]

I've got a new job starting next month and my current employer is saying I have to pay for an IPAF course I did last November
I had to sign for the card when company received it, and i just put a scribble on it ,

I was told it was just saying I'd received the card, never read it ( my bad) and its come to light that I was actually signing saying that if I was to leave within 12 months that I would be liable for the £170.00 fees

I know this is common practice these days as long as the rules are followed but I've never had to sign anything like this at work tbh I didn't realise they could do it!

However I don't think it's fair to be charged fully for something for which the company may have claimed something back from the taxman ,
plus the company has had the benefit of me being able to use mewps etc for work for nearly 8 mths

I've looked at various legal sites and this contract is only valid with several inclusions

1 that the employee is clear that they are liable

2 the employee has to agree to the money being taken out at source

3 that costs should be agreed to be on a sliding scale as they've had the benefit of use of the training.

None of which has been explained in any form by the company to anyone.

Not neccesarily looking to get out of this just because of the money I just feel that they haven't done things properly and it's not fair

But they are leaving the door open for me and I would prefer to do this without burning bridges if possible
Has anyone had a similar experience or any advice on this

 

[Markyd]

£170 .......just pay it

 

[PEG]

Did i read a bit that said you signed an agreement to pay this back?

 

[edexlab]

First post explains , but yes signed it thinking it was just to say we'd received the card ie we lose it we replace it
never read it properly the HR person did it a bit sneakily really, spoken to all shopfloor staff none of whom were aware of this agreement

At the time I'd never heard of an employee being liable for forklift or IPAF course costs in this way especially as it's a integral part of that business's needs and not like a trade qualification

For example
Here I've done manual handling, abrasive wheels, harness and things like CSCS some people have done IOSH courses, some cost a great deal more than the IPAF and it was just a case of signing to say you'd attended, no talk of being liable for the costs


if I am liable I will pay it, just wanted to see if others have had this issue before I do anything

 

[Deleted member 26818]

If you really feel that IPAF will be of no use to you, give them back the card, and tell them you don’t want to pay for it, as it’s no use to you.

 

[edexlab]

That'd go down well Spinlondon!

If I'd known they were going to do this I'd never have done the course as I was looking to move , really they should have informed us before booking it!

Its opening a can of worms really as the blokes there will now say that they don't want to do anything in future

I do understand the costs and implications to a company in regard to training especially when there is a high turnover of staff, but they need to treat the staff a bit better and maybe they'll last longer and then training costs won't be wasted

So maybe standing upto them and pointing out the need to do things properly even if I do end up paying will benefit others there

 

[Deleted member 26818]

All of my courses that have been paid for by an employer, have been of no use to me afterwards.
The meat factory got me a fork lift licence, which I rarely used at the meat factory, and have never used since.
The asbestos awareness, that one company provided might have been used once, but I’ve since had to do 2 more, the last being a lifetime certificate.
One company provided a course on using a HILTI DX nail gun, which I have never needed since.
I still have a couple of years to go on my First Aid certificate, so I may get to use it again?

Everything else I have, I paid for and obtained myself.

 

[casperLennon]

Where did you get a lifetime asbestos awareness certificate from?

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Where did you get a lifetime asbestos awareness certificate from?

UKasl.
An extra £2.50 + VAT.

 

[Toneyz]

Although my question hasn't been answered I would offer a payment depending what time is left on the card to the amount paid only as you have unfortunately signed an agreement with them and to leave on good terms.

 

[edexlab]

Although my question hasn't been answered I would offer a payment depending what time is left on the card to the amount paid only as you have unfortunately signed an agreement with them and to leave on good terms.

It is 5 yrs starting last November

 

[ferg]

A £170 lesson on reading documents before you sign them.

I would advise paying it just in case you need to work for the same company again.

Personally I'm not sure what I would do in your shoes, probably bitch and moan, kick up a fuss and end up burning my bridges.

Easy to say from behind a keyboard with loads of work.

 

[Toneyz]

It is 5 yrs starting last November

Offer them £135.

 

[Pete999]

Speak to your union? USDAW tend to deal with warehousing and logistics, assuming that's the sector you're in?

Depends really on what your CofE says regarding repayment of training costs, you say you signed with a scribble wont wash Lister, you could mention that the company has received some sort of Tax rebates for paying for your training, but in the long run, you could be liable for repayment.

 

[telectrix]

pay iy less the 6 months (10%) then deduct the tax (20%). so offer £120.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

It’s all well and good saying pay a proportion, but are the proportions fair?
Seems that if he stayed until November, he wouldn’t have to pay anything.
So that’s 4 months left out of 12.
I make that about £56 left owing.
It’s no good knocking tax off, as they’ll have to pay tax on whatever the OP gives them.

Then again it’s paying for something he doesn’t need, but the company needed him to have, so why should he pay anything?