There has been a significant increase in the interest surrounding the ability of an employer to recover the cost of training from an employee where the employee leaves the company soon after the training has been completed.

The idea of recovering training costs is nothing new but the high cost of training, coupled with the employee’s desire to better themselves and further their career, making them more attractive on the job market, is a significant factor in this subject being high on the agenda.

In some cases, the cost to the employee, if a company recovers training costs, can run into thousands of pounds and, invariably, this is far greater than the money available to deduct from when the employee leaves. This creates further problems.

What is a claw-back agreement and how do they work?

Effectively, it is an agreement between employer and employee to recover training costs such that the employer pays for the training and the employee agrees to refund the cost of the training should they decide to leave within an agreed period of time. The claw-back is normally done on a sliding % basis with the claw-back reducing further over time.

Is it lawful?

Yes – an employer can recover training costs/fees from an employee who leaves within a certain period of time, provided that there is a clear provision in the contract of employment or in a separate written agreement where the employee has consented.

In some cases there will be a “catch all” clause in the contract of employment, which reserves the right of the employer to deduct monies when the employee leaves in respect of training that the employer has paid for. Such clauses can be quite generic in nature.

Alternatively, when an employer agrees to send an employee on a training course and/or fund them through studies or a qualification, the employer’s willingness to fund the training is conditional on the employee agreeing to sign a claw-back agreement in respect of the course fees, should they decide to leave.

Are the timescales set out in law?

There are no set timescales and very little statutory control over claw-backs but most companies do a sliding scale on a % basis such that if the employee leaves after – say 2 years – there is nothing to pay back.

Typically the % claw-back if the employee leaves just 6 months after the course would be 100%, reducing to 75% if they leave 6-12 months after completing the course – but this is only a guide.

How do you claw-back the money?

In most cases, the amount owed by the employee will be deducted from their final monies but where the amount is considerable, further payments terms will have to be agreed. However, there must be a specific clause making provision for deduction from final monies – or at least the employee’s written agreement, otherwise you are into the realms of unlawful deductions.

How do you calculate the amount to be recovered?

With difficulty! This is never straight forward because in addition to funding a course, the employer may have funded exam fees, text books, accommodation, travel etc.

It can get quite messy because it might be perceived as churlish if you start to recover 50% of the mileage costs for an employer to go to a course so it is important to be pragmatic and come to a mutual agreement.

Can claw-back arrangements apply to all courses?

Yes – but training claw-back arrangements are primarily designed to protect the employer in situations where they have invested a significant amount of money sending an employee on a course. Recovering a few quid after someone has been on a 1 day first aid refresher is a bit petty but it is not unreasonable if you have spent over £1,000 on an employee’s professional qualification and now they are more qualified, the employee has increased their market value.

But, relying entirely on the law in these situations is unhelpful and it is more sensible to exercise common sense. Yes, we want to demonstrate that we are committed to the CPD of our people and to foster an environment where talent is recognised but the reality is that some people will always think the grass is greener…..and leave.

Conversely, employees may be somewhat reluctant to put themselves forward for training and development if they think they are going to be slapped with a training costs recovery agreement every time they go on a course.

Generic clauses in a contract about recovery of training costs definitely serve a purpose but in most cases, it is preferable to draw up an agreement with the employee at the point at which you commit to find the training.

About the author:

This is a guest blog by Adrian Berwick, who is a very experienced and commercially aware Human Resources professional with a generalist HR background.  He has given support on issues ranging from input on strategic planning and business re-organisation through to practical advice on employee management issues including discipline, grievance, TUPE, ill health, redundancy, recruitment, remuneration and benefits, terms and conditions and pensions.  He recently started his own HR consultancy, having been an HR Director of a major Facilities Management company for 11 years.

If you’d like to get in touch with Adrian directly, his LinkedIn profile is here and his company’s website is here.

And if you have a blog article that you’d like us to publish, please send your submissions to: matt.byrne@bluespoint.net.

AB Commercial HR Solutions works with business and offers coaching and mentoring to assist individuals with the challenges of transition in their professional life.