Relocation allowance

[megy]

Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone out there can help with a small matter for me, I recently started a new job where I received a relocation allowance but do not remember signing the bonding agreement for said allowance, I have no copy of this and neither do the company HR department. Where do I stand legally if I were to leave the company in regard to paying the money back. I am not asking about the morals of paying the money back, just the legal point of view.

Thanks all.

[bogie]

well if theres nothing in your contract then I wouldnt worry about it

we often do it with employees that we really want to hire, however they are usually tied into a deal that says if they leave in 12 months they have to pay it back

[megy]

I am being told that its full repayment within 1 year, going down through 50% and 25% till the 2 year point. Nothing in the contract but it is mentioned in the staff handbook and as I say, I didnt sign anything when I started. They are now trying to get me to sign and return the form retrospectively which seems to be a coincidence as I am wondering if its really the job for me.

[megy]

Oh and while I am on the subject, would this allowance be taxable and NI contributions made on it?

[edc]

It doesn't matter that you didn't sign a specific piece of paper relating to this. You accepted the T&Cs and the Handbook at the time.

[D1bram]

megy said:

Oh and while I am on the subject, would this allowance be taxable and NI contributions made on it?

If it was just paid as a lump sum, then yes.

If it was paid against certain permitted expenses associated with moving, legal fees, no transferable furnishings (eg carpets and curtains) then no, but there is a limit on the amount and you have to keep copies of all receipt etc to account for it all.