Pre-Employment Training Fees and PPE.

Jauzman · 31-10-2025 10:54AM #1

Location: Republic of Ireland

Good day. Yesterday I received a Solicitors letter advising me that their client, was going to instigate court action / legal proceedings against me, if I did not pay an attached invoice and return to the client, items in my possession!

The Story: Around June 2025, I applied for a position with a company. I conducted an interview and was told I was to receive payments @ €200 per day. After a few days I contacted the company to see when I was starting with them and they said soon. To make a long story short, I was led on for months up to September, when I had to do a mandatory course for the position. I completed the course. I enquired if I could be paid weekly and it was confirmed in writing that they would pay me weekly. I drove one and a half hours away to pick up PPE for the position. Feeling suspicious all the time after a week, I asked where I stood with them with regards to my wage when I start working with them and so forth. I was told they were going to pay me €150 per day and paid monthly...also my contract would only be drawn up at the end of the month of starting!! After waiting for three months, being lied to on numerous occasions, every other week they told me they had a vehicle for me and never had! With everything dragging on, I wrote an email, declining the position. I did not want to work for such a company, having been lied to and swapping and changing their minds.I never signed a contract of any kind. Now they want me to pay for the course, return PPE , or they will sue me for everything, including damages etc!! Question: What do I do and where do I stand??

I was not paid to do any training and was told be they company that it was " Complimentary" training!??

I previously told the company that the PPE was available to collect at my address. The only reply I received was the Solicitors letter two months later!

Dublin Calling · 31-10-2025 11:08AM

It costs 10s of thousands to sue someone in Ireland. Nothing will happen.

Explosive_Cornflake · 31-10-2025 11:08AM

Is it a real solicitor?

Jauzman · 31-10-2025 11:10AM

Yes, I'm afraid so...but he doesn't know my side of the story unfortunately.

Kaisr Sose · 31-10-2025 11:36AM

That's a bizarre scenario. What sort of company operates like that. Payment per day etc...sounds more like those scam jobs on social media where you automatically get the job.

Dumb Juan · 31-10-2025 12:50PM

Hi,

I know this maybe answered but for a little bit of extra advice.

Ignore the first legal letter, see if you get a second one, then you could take it more serious. Otherwise it maybe just a shake down with just one letter.

Consider ringing the WRC and see what they say about your circumstance, you can also try to book an appointment with Free Legal Aid.

You may have agreed to the contract by accident as you did engage in training & getting PPE. But the other side to consider have they fulfilled their side of the contract? Something to ask a solicitor/WRC.

Fann Linn · 31-10-2025 02:05PM

Did you receive and sign a contract of employment with all the relevant t&C's?

Jauzman · 31-10-2025 02:21PM

No. None whatsoever.

Marcusm · 01-11-2025 06:14PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123951406#Comment_123951406

So they offered a position (unclear if employment or contractor) on one set of terms re pay and ultimately tried to offer a lower rate. They provided training and equipment but no written statement of the contract terms or the require to repay? If they wished to force you to repay training costs they should have made that clear in advance of providing the training. Return the PPe to the solicitors office with a note that you did not agree to refund any training costs but are willing to render over their clients PPE property.

csirl · 02-11-2025 03:16PM

Were you paid while in the training course?

apkmbarry · 02-11-2025 03:18PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123954342#Comment_123954342

Do not return the PPE at your own cost. Advise them it is available to be picked up in the 30 days or you are disposing of it. They've already spent 3 hrs obtaining it, waste no more time.

Jauzman · 02-11-2025 04:46PM

No, unfortunately.

Jauzman · 02-11-2025 04:46PM

No, unfortunately.

Jauzman · 02-11-2025 04:49PM

At this stage, I think I'll give them 5 working days. They have had over 30 since.

chrisd2019 · 02-11-2025 08:12PM

What was the nature of the industry and role?

What is the nature of the PPE needed, as in general employers are expected to provide PPE.

Was the training course provided by a third party or the employer?

If a third party contact them and see what it cost, I suspect you will discover your prospective employer was charging you extra.

Ring the Solicitor and ask for the person who signed it, do not assume its genuine, many fake letters around. If they do come to the line tell them you are recording the conversation and remind them that you are missing a signed copy of your contact and see what they say :)

Jauzman · 02-11-2025 08:37PM

The nature of the role was that of, working in the Utility Sector.

PPE - Included , Rain Gear, Hi Viz Winter Jacket, pants, T-shirts, boots.

Training was completed by a third party and I believe the Company got some funding towards the course also.

Jauzman · 02-11-2025 08:41PM

Below is an email I just sent the Solicitors office, hopefully I should have a response sometime tomorrow.

Good morning.
Can you tell me please, did you send me a letter from (Solicitors) via An Post? My name is ( Name and brief address ). If you did, there was an Invoice supposed to be enclosed, as it stated in the letter, "the enclosed invoice is also due".There was no invoice enclosed in the letter I received.I have attached a photograph of the letter I received.Thank you.

Kind regards,

( Name )

Pre-Employment Training Fees and PPE.

Answers