Employment support needed

[Cheekystar]

Please help! I completed my NVQ4 with my current employers in Nov 2006, as I stayed a year after completing it I was awarded �1,000 bonus, with the condition I can keep it all if I stay a full year, if I leave within this time I have to pay it back (after 6 months 50% etc)
I handed my notice in the end of April with my final leaving day being 30th May (23rd due to leave) they have wrote to me today telling me they will take the whole amount back, as I handed my notice in within the 6 months (I gave 5.5 weeks notice instead of 4 to be helpful)
I've spoke to HR and asked for some support, as I leave in 3 days, I have a mortgage to pay and I'm not a member of the union. I gave extra notice to be helpful, and have worked above and beyond my hours to help with handover etc, does anyone have any suggestions? ACAS have said they company are right .
I agree to pay the bonus back but not in one lump sum, and not the full amount.

[bednobs]

it will all hinge on what the condition says. Do you have it written down? could you post it here. TBH i dont think you'll get any better help than ACAS. you probably wont get a choice about paying it back in a lump sum - they will stop it from your final wages

[buildersmate]

I feel sorry for you but I also think the company is entitled to do this. It is all very well being helpful around the timing of the leaving date, but if the letter confirming your bonus attached these conditions, the company is entitled to claw back the bonus.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing but if you knew about it, I wonder why you didn't specify a leaving date of Monday 1st June instead of Friday 30th May, or negotiate a different arrangement at the time of resignation..

[freathy125]

i agree that the company can get the money back but I would put in writing that you cannot afford to do this is one go and that you would appreciate if you could pay back x amount per month. Its worth a try.