Training dentists as salespeople ?!

[lydster]

Hi,

Apologies in advance if this the wrong forum for my question.

My wife works as a receptionist for a small dental practice of approx. 20 staff, which has more than it's fair share of HR issues and a fairly high turnover of staff .

The practice owner is trying force its employees (including my wife, the dentists etc.) to attend mandatory sales training. Once the training has been given they are being told they must sign an agreement to pay back the cost of that training should they leave the company within a certain timeframe.

I know that such agreements exist to protect organisations who have forked out on valuable training where it benefits the employee, however I feel in this case he is using such an agreement, and unnecessary/irrelevant training as a means to try and forcibly retain his staff.

Are there any rules around what kind of training or how appropriate that training might be that would affect such an agreement? Also, if the course is made mandatory by her employer does make a difference?

Thanks.

[des8]

Re: Training dentists as salespeople ?!

Hi and welcome to LB

If the agreement does not have to be signed until AFTER the course, just refuse to sign it!
If the employee has been there for more than 2 years, the employer is a bit stuffed!

At least that's my view, but employment peeps might have a different take and different advice

[charitynjw]

Re: Training dentists as salespeople ?!

In general, recouping training costs can be difficult for an employer.
Factors such as whether the training is in-house, or if it is for a recognised qualification, will matter.
Also, as [MENTION=39710]des8[/MENTION] has mentioned, it is normally expected that there is a signed structured agreement in place beforehand (normally outlining a sliding scale repayment which reflects any benefit the firm may have had due to the training).
It may be, if the firm try to recover the cost in the absence of a prior written agreement, the employee could sue for unlawfully withholding wages.

[lydster]

Re: Training dentists as salespeople ?!

Hi and welcome to LB

If the agreement does not have to be signed until AFTER the course, just refuse to sign it!
If the employee has been there for more than 2 years, the employer is a bit stuffed!

At least that's my view, but employment peeps might have a different take and different advice

Thanks for that. Out of interest, what is the relevance of the two years you mentioned? Do you mean they can only claw back the costs for two years after the training, or does the two years have some other significance?

[R0b]

Re: Training dentists as salespeople ?!

What Des might be implying, and correct if I am wrong is if the employer threatens to dismiss your wife if she does not sign the agreement, you could have a claim for unfair dismissal - the qualifying period is two years for that.

If I were your wife, I'd keep quiet about it until the training is done and as already said, don't sign the agreement as they should have had it in place before hand, but also any training costs must be realistic, they can't add costs which they profit from. Training agreements are common to last over two years or three at a push and the amount to be repaid is staggered over that time. If the agreement simply says you must back pay the full amount of costs at any time during the two-three year period its likely to be unenforceable. That's because the business will have had some benefit from your wife and cannot claim the original training costs back.

[lydster]

Re: Training dentists as salespeople ?!

That's great - thanks very much for your answers.