Relocation fee

justback83

Morning all - would appreciate some advice on relocation fee repayment. I moved to Germany last year and relocation fees were covered by my company. There is nothing about the relocation fees written in my contract - which was signed by both parties. However - in a separate letter - it states that if I leave the company within 24 months that I will pay back a fraction of the fees, depending on the number of months short of 24 I stay.

The company is a hell-hole and I have been offered a new job elsewhere, which I've accepted.

Will I have to pay back some of the relocation costs? Did I agree to that?

davo10

justback83 wrote: »

Morning all - would appreciate some advice on relocation fee repayment. I moved to Germany last year and relocation fees were covered by my company. There is nothing about the relocation fees written in my contract - which was signed by both parties. However - in a separate letter - it states that if I leave the company within 24 months that I will pay back a fraction of the fees, depending on the number of months short of 24 I stay.

The company is a hell-hole and I have been offered a new job elsewhere, which I've accepted.

Will I have to pay back some of the relocation costs? Did I agree to that?

So what you are saying is that you have a letter from the company stating at the time they have you the fees, that part of fees must be paid back if you leave before 24months? Is it there part of that which is unclear to you?

justback83

davo10 wrote: »

So what you are saying is that you have a letter from the company stating at the time they have you the fees, that part of fees must be paid back if you leave before 24months? Is it there part of that which is unclear to you?

Not sure I understand your post. I didn't formally agree anywhere to the repayment of relocation fees - my question is: must I pay them?!

godtabh

|Sounds like the letter formed part of the contract and you are looking to wiggle out of it

justback83

godtabh wrote: »

|Sounds like the letter formed part of the contract and you are looking to wiggle out of it

Exactly. Is a letter binding?

davo10

justback83 wrote: »

Exactly. Is a letter binding?

But the letter is a condition of the relocation fee, you accepted that condition when you accepted the fee. If you objected to the repayment, you should have done so before you took the money.

The letter is formal, written notification.

justback83

davo10 wrote: »

But the letter is a condition of the relocation fee, you accepted that condition when you accepted the fee. If you objected to the repayment, you should have done so before you took the money.

The letter is formal, written notification.

Thanks, loud and clear.


Damn it.

PhoenixParker

Probably/maybe/who knows?!?

At the end of the day you're in Germany so it'll come down to the German legal system and German employment law which none of us are experts in.

If you're that desperate to leave, leave and see what happens.

davo10

PhoenixParker wrote: »

Probably/maybe/who knows?!?

At the end of the day you're in Germany so it'll come down to the German legal system and German employment law which none of us are experts in.

If you're that desperate to leave, leave and see what happens.

Fees will most likely be deducted from last month's pay check.

justback83

davo10 wrote: »

Fees will most likely be deducted from last month's pay check.

Before or after tax and other deductions?

davo10

justback83 wrote: »

Before or after tax and other deductions?

You'll have to read your contract. In the Renumeration/Salary section, you'll more than likely see a line about deductions to wages on termination of employment.

conacks

Maybe explain the situation to your new company and they may be willing to help if they want to hire you straightaway?

justback83

conacks wrote: »

Maybe explain the situation to your new company and they may be willing to help if they want to hire you straightaway?

Did this, they declined. But they are covering relocation costs without condition....!

justback83

davo10 wrote: »

You'll have to read your contract. In the Renumeration/Salary section, you'll more than likely see a line about deductions to wages on termination of employment.

Thanks, no mention of this in thh contract though....