The advice thread for random problems #4

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Any legal eagles or people in the know with employment based issues?

I have been working in a GP surgery since May 22
In September 2023 I accepted a place on a foundation degree course run by the local uni and college as an apprentice, my employer also signed and agreed too. They are a non levy paying employer so the course is funded by the government and I am registered as an apprentice with the government.

I have so far been on the course 7 months and coming in to the final few months of the first year ( its a 2 year course)
This week my line manager ( very poor management skills and stepping down as manager in April) approached me (chucked it at me) with a form titled " training agreement" and told me I had to sign it. I asked what it was, she told me if i leave the company within 2 years of completing my course (2027) I will need to pay them back the course fees.

I said, it isn't reasonable to expect me to sign this in retrospect as its now 7 months into the cource and had I been made aware of this 7 months ago I could have made an informed decision on weather I wanted to proceed on the cource under those terms and conditions.
She was very rude to me, as was her replacement - " so your using us to pay for your course and planning to leave", and " if you dobt sign they'll remove you from the course"

As mentioned this is a government funded apprenticeship course.

The form does not specify an actual sum, it just says xourse fees (£amount), then gives a sliding scale of
Leave with 6 months pay back 100%.
Leave 6-12 months pay back 75%
12-18 pay back 50%
18-24 pay back 25%

So they're expecting me to sign this 7 months after commencing the course. And without any indication of the sum of money I would be paying back in the event of me leaving the company.

I told her that I would need to seek the advise of my union representative (RCN) and potentially legal advise on the matter, and that id at least need more information on a figure and a breakdown of that figure.

I have checked my contract of employment, which makes no mention or clauses to training or training costs.

I have contacted my union and I have a phone meeting with the local rep to go over this, they told me it is my legal right to seek advise and representation of my union.

Ive since found on google so not confident it is correct but it says its actually illegal for company's to try to reclaim cource fees from a government funded apprentice.

Any advise greatly appreciated, as im worrying myself over this now.
I dont particularly want to stay with this company for two whole years after I complete my course as they are not particularly nice. I can with a fair amount of certainty say that once I finish my course they wont have any positions for the role I'll be just qualified in, and so ill have to continue working for them in the role I am in now with a foundation degree for minimum wage, or leave and potentially owe them an undisclosed sum of money.
Absolutely do not sign that. They can't force you too, especially as your contract doesn't mention anything about training costs. And you rightly pointed out you should've been told from the start.
 
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Just a question more than ‘advice’, but whose job is it to find cover if you call in sick? I remember working in pubs and the managers saying that you have to find cover or come in, or else you would be classed as a ‘no show’. I’m not in that role now but I have had to call in today as I have tonsillitis that has wiped me right out. Our manager is on annual leave, so I called on call and told them. My colleague said our area manager likes us to find our own cover and thought I should let her know. But my argument is, our area manager is not on call this weekend, the rule is that we call on call at weekends. I also said it isn’t our job, I called in sick and cannot call around our colleagues to find cover, although we normally do sort it out ourselves. There are only 2 people on our team that could possibly cover this weekend, they both have not said they would cover.
It’s not entirely clear though, I told my colleague I would take the flack if I’m wrong, by my thinking is that it is managements job?
 
Just a question more than ‘advice’, but whose job is it to find cover if you call in sick? I remember working in pubs and the managers saying that you have to find cover or come in, or else you would be classed as a ‘no show’. I’m not in that role now but I have had to call in today as I have tonsillitis that has wiped me right out. Our manager is on annual leave, so I called on call and told them. My colleague said our area manager likes us to find our own cover and thought I should let her know. But my argument is, our area manager is not on call this weekend, the rule is that we call on call at weekends. I also said it isn’t our job, I called in sick and cannot call around our colleagues to find cover, although we normally do sort it out ourselves. There are only 2 people on our team that could possibly cover this weekend, they both have not said they would cover.
It’s not entirely clear though, I told my colleague I would take the flack if I’m wrong, by my thinking is that it is managements job?
Depends on your employment status. If you are an employee then it's not your job to find cover if you are sick, it is management's. If you are a self employed contractor, it might be.
 
Depends on your employment status. If you are an employee then it's not your job to find cover if you are sick, it is management's. If you are a self employed contractor, it might be.
I’m an employee. Thank you, that is what I thought.
 
Any legal eagles or people in the know with employment based issues?

I have been working in a GP surgery since May 22
In September 2023 I accepted a place on a foundation degree course run by the local uni and college as an apprentice, my employer also signed and agreed too. They are a non levy paying employer so the course is funded by the government and I am registered as an apprentice with the government.

I have so far been on the course 7 months and coming in to the final few months of the first year ( its a 2 year course)
This week my line manager ( very poor management skills and stepping down as manager in April) approached me (chucked it at me) with a form titled " training agreement" and told me I had to sign it. I asked what it was, she told me if i leave the company within 2 years of completing my course (2027) I will need to pay them back the course fees.

I said, it isn't reasonable to expect me to sign this in retrospect as its now 7 months into the cource and had I been made aware of this 7 months ago I could have made an informed decision on weather I wanted to proceed on the cource under those terms and conditions.
She was very rude to me, as was her replacement - " so your using us to pay for your course and planning to leave", and " if you dobt sign they'll remove you from the course"

As mentioned this is a government funded apprenticeship course.

The form does not specify an actual sum, it just says xourse fees (£amount), then gives a sliding scale of
Leave with 6 months pay back 100%.
Leave 6-12 months pay back 75%
12-18 pay back 50%
18-24 pay back 25%

So they're expecting me to sign this 7 months after commencing the course. And without any indication of the sum of money I would be paying back in the event of me leaving the company.

I told her that I would need to seek the advise of my union representative (RCN) and potentially legal advise on the matter, and that id at least need more information on a figure and a breakdown of that figure.

I have checked my contract of employment, which makes no mention or clauses to training or training costs.

I have contacted my union and I have a phone meeting with the local rep to go over this, they told me it is my legal right to seek advise and representation of my union.

Ive since found on google so not confident it is correct but it says its actually illegal for company's to try to reclaim cource fees from a government funded apprentice.

Any advise greatly appreciated, as im worrying myself over this now.
I dont particularly want to stay with this company for two whole years after I complete my course as they are not particularly nice. I can with a fair amount of certainty say that once I finish my course they wont have any positions for the role I'll be just qualified in, and so ill have to continue working for them in the role I am in now with a foundation degree for minimum wage, or leave and potentially owe them an undisclosed sum of money.
Seeking advice from the union is the right thing but what puzzles me is that if it's a government funded apprenticeship what fees is your employer paying that they would want to recover?

In any case according to ACAS, "Employers might be able to deduct money from final pay for training courses. This can only happen if the deduction was agreed in the contract or in writing beforehand".

:
 
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Seeking advice from the union is the right thing but what puzzles me is that if it's a government funded apprenticeship what fees is your employer paying that they would want to recover?

In any case according to ACAS, "Employers might be able to deduct money from final pay for training courses. This can only happen if the deduction was agreed in the contract or in writing beforehand".

:
Well exactly, the document just states "(£amount)" no actual figure.
Whilst they may have incurred some cost, my course tutor seems to thinks that as a non levy paying employer it is around the £700-900 figure, the government fund the rest, my employer is registered with the government, as am I as the apprentice.

The only costs so to speak they incur is, they pay my wages but I have to attend college day per week, and for 6 weeks twice in the year I have to go on external placement to wherever the college send me ( can be a hospital, community nursing or gp surgery) - I have completed the two placements for year 1, and have 2 remaining for year 2.
So Im not at work the one day I attend college, and im not at work whilst im on external placement but I'm still getting paid - that's how an apprenticeship works though and what they signed and agreed to upon my commencing the course.

My line manager has made an error in not getting me to sign anything prior to my commencing the course, as she is now stepping down as manager I presume tying up lose ends.
I dont feel that it is reasonable for me to now be pressurised into signing a very debatable document almost halfway through the course.

My tutor also told me as it is my apprenticeship I can leave this employer and be employed elsewhere as long as the new employer is willing to take over supporting me on the course, essentially giving me the day to attend college and go on external placement whilst still paying me.

I just feel so worried and stressed out about it as they are just not reasonable, im worried I will go into work Monday and be confronted with a disciplinary meeting or something.
 
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Has anyone ever used pillows like these before? I tend to fall asleep on my side/stomach but wake up on my side/back so I’m looking for something comfortable in all positions but will also help reduce some neck strain I’ve been getting.

IMG_9686.jpeg

IMG_9685.jpeg
 
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Well exactly, the document just states "(£amount)" no actual figure.
Whilst they may have incurred some cost, my course tutor seems to thinks that as a non levy paying employer it is around the £700-900 figure, the government fund the rest, my employer is registered with the government, as am I as the apprentice.

The only costs so to speak they incur is, they pay my wages but I have to attend college day per week, and for 6 weeks twice in the year I have to go on external placement to wherever the college send me ( can be a hospital, community nursing or gp surgery) - I have completed the two placements for year 1, and have 2 remaining for year 2.
So Im not at work the one day I attend college, and im not at work whilst im on external placement but I'm still getting paid - that's how an apprenticeship works though and what they signed and agreed to upon my commencing the course.

My line manager has made an error in not getting me to sign anything prior to my commencing the course, as she is now stepping down as manager I presume tying up lose ends.
I dont feel that it is reasonable for me to now be pressurised into signing a very debatable document almost halfway through the course.

My tutor also told me as it is my apprenticeship I can leave this employer and be employed elsewhere as long as the new employer is willing to take over supporting me on the course, essentially giving me the day to attend college and go on external placement whilst still paying me.

I just feel so worried and stressed out about it as they are just not reasonable, im worried I will go into work Monday and be confronted with a disciplinary meeting or something.
Well first I don't believe there are any grounds for any kind of disciplinary action so I don't think I'd worry about that but in any case you have the union to help you. Your employer is effectively trying to make a change to your contract of employment which they can only do if you agree or there is an existing clause in your contract to say that they can (a variation clause). Even if there is, based on the ACAS advice they wouldn't be able to apply that in arrears so at worst it would only cover future costs (such as they are). See what comes back from your union and if you are still worried contact ACAS (0300 123 1100) or your local Citizens Advice.
 
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Well first I don't believe there are any grounds for any kind of disciplinary action so I don't think I'd worry about that but in any case you have the union to help you. Your employer is effectively trying to make a change to your contract of employment which they can only do if you agree or there is an existing clause in your contract to say that they can (a variation clause). Even if there is, based on the ACAS advice they wouldn't be able to apply that in arrears so at worst it would only cover future costs (such as they are). See what comes back from your union and if you are still worried contact ACAS (0300 123 1100) or your local Citizens Advice.
Thank you that's put my mind at ease a little bit.
 
Any legal eagles or people in the know with employment based issues?

I have been working in a GP surgery since May 22
In September 2023 I accepted a place on a foundation degree course run by the local uni and college as an apprentice, my employer also signed and agreed too. They are a non levy paying employer so the course is funded by the government and I am registered as an apprentice with the government.

I have so far been on the course 7 months and coming in to the final few months of the first year ( its a 2 year course)
This week my line manager ( very poor management skills and stepping down as manager in April) approached me (chucked it at me) with a form titled " training agreement" and told me I had to sign it. I asked what it was, she told me if i leave the company within 2 years of completing my course (2027) I will need to pay them back the course fees.

I said, it isn't reasonable to expect me to sign this in retrospect as its now 7 months into the cource and had I been made aware of this 7 months ago I could have made an informed decision on weather I wanted to proceed on the cource under those terms and conditions.
She was very rude to me, as was her replacement - " so your using us to pay for your course and planning to leave", and " if you dobt sign they'll remove you from the course"

As mentioned this is a government funded apprenticeship course.

The form does not specify an actual sum, it just says xourse fees (£amount), then gives a sliding scale of
Leave with 6 months pay back 100%.
Leave 6-12 months pay back 75%
12-18 pay back 50%
18-24 pay back 25%

So they're expecting me to sign this 7 months after commencing the course. And without any indication of the sum of money I would be paying back in the event of me leaving the company.

I told her that I would need to seek the advise of my union representative (RCN) and potentially legal advise on the matter, and that id at least need more information on a figure and a breakdown of that figure.

I have checked my contract of employment, which makes no mention or clauses to training or training costs.

I have contacted my union and I have a phone meeting with the local rep to go over this, they told me it is my legal right to seek advise and representation of my union.

Ive since found on google so not confident it is correct but it says its actually illegal for company's to try to reclaim cource fees from a government funded apprentice.

Any advise greatly appreciated, as im worrying myself over this now.
I dont particularly want to stay with this company for two whole years after I complete my course as they are not particularly nice. I can with a fair amount of certainty say that once I finish my course they wont have any positions for the role I'll be just qualified in, and so ill have to continue working for them in the role I am in now with a foundation degree for minimum wage, or leave and potentially owe them an undisclosed sum of money.
Seek advice definitely, but I knew this was going to be NHS related. You aren’t the first and won't be the last (had experience of this myself). It was awhile ago now, but certainly wasn’t enforceable when I work worked for them. I remember someone arguing about it and being trust being told this information must be given and agreed to first before doing a course; that was NHS funded but still wasn’t allowed.
 
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Seek advice definitely, but I knew this was going to be NHS related. You aren’t the first and won't be the last (had experience of this myself). It was awhile ago now, but certainly wasn’t enforceable when I work worked for them. I remember someone arguing about it and being trust being told this information must be given and agreed to first before doing a course; that was NHS funded but still wasn’t allowed.
Well technically I am not employed by the NHS, im employed by the GP surgery who are a sub contractor for the NHS. Apart from the NHS pension scheme I receive no other NHS related employment benefits. We get no company sick or maternity pay, when the NHS receive a pay rise we don't, hence me earning all but minimum wage.
 
It’s 💯 not a disciplinary matter so don’t panic. They can’t force you to sign it but do keep in mind they can make your life low key difficult if you don’t so you may end up looking for a new employer out of choice. If they bring it up again say you’re aware of the matter and engaging with advice from your union on how to proceed and you’ll come back to them when that process is completed.

I think they’re using a standard agreement that would be used for everyone else and thinking it applies to you too, when the circumstances of your employment are different to a standard staff member. Don’t be too bothered by it, it’s administrative ineptitude at its finest and I’m sure it will be resolved.
 
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Does anyone have any knowledge on ISA's and can explain them to me like I'm 5?

We have an ISA that we opened in Nov last year. It has its full allowance in it.

Come April, can I add more money? How does the interest get calculated? Is it from Nov - April for the first lot of money, and then April - April for the next lot of money? Or does the interest get calculated on the total amount deposited?
 
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It’s 💯 not a disciplinary matter so don’t panic. They can’t force you to sign it but do keep in mind they can make your life low key difficult if you don’t so you may end up looking for a new employer out of choice. If they bring it up again say you’re aware of the matter and engaging with advice from your union on how to proceed and you’ll come back to them when that process is completed.

I think they’re using a standard agreement that would be used for everyone else and thinking it applies to you too, when the circumstances of your employment are different to a standard staff member. Don’t be too bothered by it, it’s administrative ineptitude at its finest and I’m sure it will be resolved.
Thank you 💜

I am a worrier.
 
Does anyone have any knowledge on ISA's and can explain them to me like I'm 5?

We have an ISA that we opened in Nov last year. It has its full allowance in it.

Come April, can I add more money? How does the interest get calculated? Is it from Nov - April for the first lot of money, and then April - April for the next lot of money? Or does the interest get calculated on the total amount deposited?
It would depend on the ISA, I have two with RBS, I have one that is my tax free where I can put up to 20k into an it's not taxed, I can't put more into it once it's hit 20k, I can put however much or little into it as I want till then but as soon as it's 20k it's at its limit, I can take money out an put it back in but it doesn't change its limit so say I have put 10k in an I take 5k out, it will still say I can only put 10k in even though it now only sits at 5k if that makes sense, an I can put money in whenever I want

My second is the flexible savers one, it had quite high interest on it for the first 5k that goes in but it's locked to me only being allowed to put a max of £150 in per month, the interest is paid monthly on the totally amount, again I can take anything out but it's limited to what I can put in per month

Then there's other ISAs where they have limits on how much can go in yearly or how much they can hold, I'd check to see if it's a money limit one you have as once it's hit its limit then you can't go over it, I know there's some that will only allow for so much to be put in during the year then you have to wait till the new tax year begins before you can add again, usually these two types have pretty low interest in them, my interest gets paid monthly to my savers on the full amount(my tax free gets no interest because it's not being taxed) but right now there's not much interest as it's still low, I think the interest rates vary around the 1.75% mark, if you want higher interest then it's typically from ones that you lock for so long, my dad has one with not bad interest but it was a set amount he agreed to keep locked for 2 years so he cant access it till then
 
Well technically I am not employed by the NHS, im employed by the GP surgery who are a sub contractor for the NHS. Apart from the NHS pension scheme I receive no other NHS related employment benefits. We get no company sick or maternity pay, when the NHS receive a pay rise we don't, hence me earning all but minimum wage.
I understand.
I hope it works out.
 
If you were able to order a copy of the will from the Probate Registry this means that probate has been granted. This means that the executor can disperse the estate according to the will although it is recommended that they wait 10 months before doing so. If it were me, I'd try to make sure that the executor has my contact details and if possible (subtly) let them know that you know that you are a beneficiary.
@Rodneytrotter ...definitely do this👆🏼👆🏼👆🏼.
My sister almost missed out on an inheritance from her grandmother, as her gem of a father said that he was "unable to trace her". Luckily, her uncle is a much more honourable character and he was able to let her know by writing to her at our mum's house. The house where my sister was born and where our mum has lived for over 50 years. Not exactly hard to trace! 😡.
Good luck, I hope that you get the money that your gran wanted you to have.
 
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@Rodneytrotter ...definitely do this👆🏼👆🏼👆🏼.
My sister almost missed out on an inheritance from her grandmother, as her gem of a father said that he was "unable to trace her". Luckily, her uncle is a much more honourable character and he was able to let her know by writing to her at our mum's house. The house where my sister was born and where our mum has lived for over 50 years. Not exactly hard to trace! 😡.
Good luck, I hope that you get the money that your gran wanted you to have.
Thank you ❤ the executor knows exactly where I live and my number. But she doesn't speak to me anymore.
 
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Random problem, we use Gmail at my work an I have to create contacts but for some reason the part where you can add a profile picture is massive an it has the part where you add the details underneath it really small which I have to scroll to get it all, is there a way I can reverse it so I can see more of the details part an less of the profile picture part?
 

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