Training courses can you be forced to go on them ?

[Buster73]

Bit of advice needed svp.

Been requested to go on a course to learn a new skill to help in my job to give better customer service.

I don't want to go on it as I see it as being no use to me .

I have worked there for a few years , nothing in my contract mentions training courses .

What are my options ?

[GT03ROB]

In your time or theirs?

If in theirs, where's the harm?

[Buster73]

GT03ROB said:

In your time or theirs?

If in theirs, where's the harm?

In their time , but feel it will by completing the course it will back me into a situation I don't want to be in.

By refusing could I end up being dismissed ?

[STW2010]

Buster73 said:

By refusing could I end up being dismissed ?

I doubt it, but your management won't think much of you from now on.

Basically they think you need some additional training for a reason. You are refusing to improve, so do you really think that this could end well for you?

By all means discuss it with them, offer alternatives, acknowledge that you need help in certain areas etc. But don't just refuse to do it.

[pherlopolus]

is it residential? is there a bar? do you get to meet people you wouldnt normally meet?

Training is a great networking opportunity!

[boobles]

If it helps you improve your day to day job, where's the harm? + you could end up getting a payrise if they see improvements in your work.

[Odie]

Go on the course, treat it as a jolly, a break from the day job. Add it too your CV.

This imho isnt a battle worth fighting.

[Capita]

Also, check that theres nothing in your contract that makes you liable for course fees should you leave for any reason in the next 'X' amount of years post course.

TBH I dont see what the issue is here, any one in todays society where the employer is wanting and willing to pay for further training or education for any reason should grab it with both hands, I know I do!

[davepoth]

Odie said:

Go on the course, treat it as a jolly, a break from the day job. Add it too your CV.

This imho isnt a battle worth fighting.

This.

[rog007]

Unless there's a particular angle or issue we're not aware of, simply refusing to allow yourself an opportunity to improve may not be a good tactic. Many organisations are cutting back on training as a result of the current trading environment; any employer still offering training should be celebrated and employees should exploit it (in the professional sense).

I've recently come across a cohort of my own staff who do not think they need any further development 'as they've been doing the job long enough to know what they're doing'. I was taken aback to be honest, particularly as they know my forward leaning stance on development and knowledge acquisition in support of improved outcomes. It certainly tells me that I'll need to evidence my arguments even more if I'm to convince them. Whilst I now think less of them than before, I will have to ensure I understand why they think like they do before I take any further action as a result. What I can't have is under developed staff holding back my improvement strategy. But I accept not everyone is striving for advancement or excellence.

[GoneAnon]

rog007 said:

forward leaning stance
knowledge acquisition
improved outcomes
evidence my arguments
improvement strategy
striving for advancement or excellence.

Have you been on a course yourself recently?

[Deva Link]

GoneAnon said:

rog007 said:

forward leaning stance
knowledge acquisition
improved outcomes
evidence my arguments
improvement strategy
striving for advancement or excellence.

Have you been on a course yourself recently?

I was thinking he was being ironic and forgot the smiley, but I've just looked at his profile and I'm still not sure.

Edited by Deva Link on Thursday 13th December 21:43

[anonymous-user]

rog007 said:

Unless there's a particular angle or issue we're not aware of, simply refusing to allow yourself an opportunity to improve may not be a good tactic. Many organisations are cutting back on training as a result of the current trading environment; any employer still offering training should be celebrated and employees should exploit it (in the professional sense).

I've recently come across a cohort of my own staff who do not think they need any further development 'as they've been doing the job long enough to know what they're doing'. I was taken aback to be honest, particularly as they know my forward leaning stance on development and knowledge acquisition in support of improved outcomes. It certainly tells me that I'll need to evidence my arguments even more if I'm to convince them. Whilst I now think less of them than before, I will have to ensure I understand why they think like they do before I take any further action as a result. What I can't have is under developed staff holding back my improvement strategy. But I accept not everyone is striving for advancement or excellence.

Good post if I do say so.

As Rog said, its all to do with WHY you don't want to do the course, because inevitably, any decent employer will ask why you are refusing.

[jontymo]

Always get more training if you can, especially if there is a certificate at the end of it.

If any of my team refused and i felt it was vital training or they was the odd one out and that it could lead to problems being created in the team i would probably go down the road of them refusing a reasonable request and take it from there.

Not saying this is correct for you as don't know the full details!

[Rollcage]

Deva Link said:

GoneAnon said:

rog007 said:

forward leaning stance
knowledge acquisition
improved outcomes
evidence my arguments
improvement strategy
striving for advancement or excellence.

Have you been on a course yourself recently?

I was thinking he was being ironic and forgot the smiley, but I've just looked at his profile and I'm still not sure.

Edited by Deva Link on Thursday 13th December 21:43

They are probably reluctant because the don'bt want to end up talking like their boss!

[bint]

You may view it as being no use to you, but it might be.

I work in Customer Service and have often been one to say "I really have to do THAT?!" when it comes to training/learning & development. I have been proved wrong on more than one occasion and now welcome training as a way to see things from a different perspective, even if I don't feel I can use it in a daily situation.

[Deva Link]

Buster73 said:

Been requested to go on a course to learn a new skill

What new skill?

Buster73 said:

...but feel it will by completing the course it will back me into a situation I don't want to be in.

Which situation don't you want to be in?

[elanfan]

It always gets me when employers treat employees as though they are doing them a favour by training them.

In the company I used to work for they assumed that everyone would be happy to go on a residential course Monday to Friday. Meaning leaving home ridiculously early on monday morning and getting home late on friday.

Then they assume that because you are on a course your evenings belong to them too. No hint of overtime. More importantly they do not seem to think that you work to live and that your free time is what you work for to enjoy.

If the training is that important to the company hold it in work and in work time. I suspect most employees would prefer that

[rog007]

Rollcage said:

They are probably reluctant because the don'bt want to end up talking like their boss!

Good point!

[Deva Link]

elanfan said:

It always gets me when employers treat employees as though they are doing them a favour by training them.

In the company I used to work for they assumed that everyone would be happy to go on a residential course Monday to Friday. Meaning leaving home ridiculously early on monday morning and getting home late on friday.

Then they assume that because you are on a course your evenings belong to them too. No hint of overtime. More importantly they do not seem to think that you work to live and that your free time is what you work for to enjoy.

If the training is that important to the company hold it in work and in work time. I suspect most employees would prefer that

Timely point: I worked at a place when a new MD arrived and he decided the Christmas Do would be a proper big bash in the evening rather than how it was done in the past, which was closing the place for a couple of hours and having a crappy lunch.

A group of people got together and decided they wouldn't go unless they were paid overtime as it was out of normal working hours.