“We have recently recruited an employee for a permanent vacancy. We used a recruitment agency to help source the successful candidate, thus incurring substantial fees. After being with the company nine months, the employee has resigned. We now find ourselves burdened with the recruitment agency’s fees. Is it possible to ask the employee to cover some/all of the cost incurred during the recruitment process? How should I handle this?”

Provision for the recoupment of costs is regularly incorporated into contracts of employment, commonly in relation to fees for training or additional qualifications, enhanced periods of leave (e.g. maternity leave) and any other ‘perks’ the employee may benefit from during the course of their employment.

In some instances, there may be