Training Contract Tie-In Advice

Phalanx

Hi all,

So today I was offered the role of becoming the company's Data Protection Officer. I've had a big interest in GDPR law since it started working its way into UK law, and as it comes live in May, the company wondered if I wanted to take the mantle for them.

Here's the query: They offered to pay for everything for my training and certification - A cost of approximately £6,000 - with the proviso that I sign a contract saying that I will tie-in to the company for 24 months. My query is, having never been offered this kind of contract before, is this a good period for the amount being spent on my training and certification? The two courses they are planning for me end with a certification of GDPR Practitioner and Certified Data Protection Officer. I know the CDPO has good pull with companies looking for data privacy specialists, at least in the EU (I'm UK-based).

Is 2 years a decent timeframe for a tie-in?

TechGromit

Is there a salary bump is you accept this? What is th penalty if you break the agreement?

Phalanx

Basically, I've just finished my 6 month probation with flying colours. They've given me a salary bump of over £5,500 with no tie to the training contract. This is a standalone agreement. If I break it, I have to pay back the remaining amount. It goes down at 1/24th each month, so if I leave after a year, I have to pay half the cost, etc.

cyberguypr

I did something similar early in my career. I signed understanding that if I had to leave before the agreed time came up, I would have to repay. As long as you understand this and accept the risk, I see no problem.

yoba222

In the US the tie-in duration is usually one year after the last reimbursement payment. This would be the case for someone paying for classes of a college/university degree.

You mention a 2-year tie in, but this is also 2 certifications, not one. This seems fair to me to both you and your company. Congrats on the offer!

EnderWiggin

Do they start the twenty-four month counter as soon as you sign up, or does it start after you finish the final cert? That'd play a factor for me.

Phalanx

It's right away, as the date on it is today. Thank you guys for the heads up and information, I'm going to sign.

Ertaz

Phalanx wrote: »

It's right away, as the date on it is today. Thank you guys for the heads up and information, I'm going to sign.

I think you've made a good call. Those certs will be worth way more than your training costs in the long run. If you ever had the desire to hop the pond there are a *lot* of US companies that house EU citizen data scrambling to deal with GDPR.

Phalanx

Ertaz wrote: »

I think you've made a good call. Those certs will be worth way more than your training costs in the long run. If you ever had the desire to hop the pond there are a *lot* of US companies that house EU citizen data scrambling to deal with GDPR.

Good to know! Thank you!

TechGromit

cyberguypr wrote: »

I did something similar early in my career. I signed understanding that if I had to leave before the agreed time came up, I would have to repay. As long as you understand this and accept the risk, I see no problem.

I agree, even if you had to pay the full amount back and got a better job because of the certification, they fronted you the money to get the certification. There's no down side her I can see. If possible I would also put aside the cost of the training, so if an opportunity does materialize, you have nothing stopping you from making the move.

McxRisley

I agree that accepting this offer is a good move, I have accepted a similar offer a few times before. Worst case scenario, you leave for a better job and have to pay them back BUT even in this scenario you still win because you just got a free loan for training essentially.

blargoe

I think the arrangement is very reasonable. Honestly, if you leave for greener pastures, I imaging the increase in salary would surpass what you would have to repay (though you would have to cough up the $$$ in the short term). I'm a big advocate of taking advantage of any offers like this if it makes sense for what you want to do with your career.

ITSec14

Here's a question...do they prorate the amount you have to pay back if you leave before the 24 months is up? Or is it the full amount regardless if you quit in 1 month or in the 23rd month?

Phalanx

They prorate, hence the "1/24th".