Dear Jobs Guru: ‘How do I get my old employers to pay back the money I'm owed?'

I recently failed to pass probation, but I struggled with my role and workload so I wasn't surprised. However, two weeks before I was let go, I submitted almost £200 worth of expenses for a conference I had to attend - travel and food I was allowed to claim for.

I have contacted the company since leaving to ask when I would receive the money, and I've been told I'm not getting the £200 back as I didn't pass probation.

I think I'm entitled to it. Is there anything I can do? Janey, Cardiff

I’m naturally sorry to hear you didn’t make it through probation, Janey – but it does, of course, sound like this wasn’t the right role for you.

And, judging by their behaviour, it doesn’t sound like you would really want to work for people like that anyway!

The bottom line here is that whether or not you passed probation is completely irrelevant to your evident right to claim legitimate business expenses such as these.

They wanted you to attend this conference. You incurred travel and sustenance costs. And they most definitely need to be paying you back! It’s pretty outrageous for them to suggest otherwise.

That partly answers your question. The other part is a little more tricky: You ask what you can do. Not a great deal, I’m afraid!

£200 is certainly a sizeable sum of money but it’s just not sizeable enough to really warrant the time and expense of taking legal action.

What I would do first is perhaps visit Citizens Advice and, with their help, draft a pretty stern letter to send via recorded delivery. If you’re lucky that may do the trick – but I regret that I really wouldn’t bet on it…

If you have a significant grievance and feel that you are not being listened to then the first step is normally to put everything clearly in writing – and make sure you use recorded delivery!

Voluntary redundancy (often just abbreviated to VR) is a financial incentive offered by an organisation to encourage employees to voluntarily give up their jobs, typically in downsizing or restructuring situations.

It’s important to note, though, that even if you volunteer, your employer is under no obligation to accept your offer.

The purpose of VR is to avoid – or reduce – compulsory redundancies by allowing those who wish to depart to do so of their own accord. It also allows the organisation to amend its employee profile, VR typically being offered to a specific age group and experience level.

You should, of course, think very carefully about whether VR is right for you, including how it will affect things like, for example, your mortgage.