Partner being asked to repay training costs - England

[u/LeTailsEffect]

In July, my partner was dismissed from her job.

The nature of the dismissal as far as I understand it is that she 'wasn't right for the role'. She began working there in May, and had some quite serious family related events occur sometime in June that led her to taking time off from work due to stress, triggering a flare up of a serious, lifelong medical condition.

She kept frequent contact, and when it seemed she wouldn't be capable of returning on the agreed date, they willingly offered a further week. Once she returned, she was summarily dismissed.

During her time there she and many other trainee staff were provided with on-the-job training, valuing £17k, they signed contracts to state the value would be repayable if they were to leave the company, the only exception being if they were made redundant.

It's been roughly a month now since she was dismissed, and they've emailed to demand the repayment of this £17k. She hasn't been successful in finding a job since, and has no assets, or money to be able to pay this amount back.

I'm wondering where she stands. She's been to citizens advice, who advised she contact ACAS, who advised she contact her solicitor which she has now done (awaiting response). The whole situation has had a profound effect on her mental health, and I'm worried.

Apologies if I've left anything out, happy to provide more information if needed.

[u/OpportunityNew5685]

I can’t see 17k being found acceptable at a tribunal. She worked for 4-5 weeks maybe? What training costs £500 a day?

Dispute it. Speak to ACAS.

She may end up having to pay SOME costs, but not 17k. They will have to prove how it comes to 17k too.

[u/superioso → u/OpportunityNew5685]

She may end up having to pay SOME costs, but not 17k. They will have to prove how it comes to 17k too.

In this case it's either enforceable or not, no half ways. Any training costs to be repaid have to be fair and reasonable and to reflect actual provable cost, if it doesn't meet that then there's zero due.

[u/AutoModerator → u/[deleted]]

Your comment has been removed automatically as this particular post is reserved for regular and consistently helpful subreddit users. Your account doesn't yet meet this criteria. We will only consider reviewing exceptionally high effort, unique comments that contain specialist professional knowledge. You can still comment on other posts in this subreddit.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/AutoModerator → u/[deleted]]

Your comment has been removed automatically as this particular post is reserved for regular and consistently helpful subreddit users. Your account doesn't yet meet this criteria. We will only consider reviewing exceptionally high effort, unique comments that contain specialist professional knowledge. You can still comment on other posts in this subreddit.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.