Human Resources sucks.

[undeterred]

OK there's supposed to be an "education benefit" with the job I've had since July. I've never used it but one person I work with went to a conference for a week at the company's expense and another got them to pay for a masters degree... for school they reimburse you after you pass.

I want to do computer certification exams so I worked with a company to get a really good package deal for training materials for 8 exams- $1200. I didn't know if the company would reimburse me or not but I could not afford to lay out that kind of money without being reimbursed right away. Talked to my interim manager (real manager quit 2 months ago and they aren't even interviewing yet) and he approved it. He approved it in writing to the company that I wanted the training materials from.

Accounting dept says you need HR approval. I submit the paperwork and prepare a very thorough description of what I want to do, why I am doing it this way, and what a good deal it is for the company. Much cheaper than paying for individual classes or sending me to a boot camp. HR Manager first says yes. Then she qualifies it by saying yes we will reimburse you after you pass all 8 exams. Not now. That will take me about a year if all goes well, and I will have to spend more on the exams. HR does not understand the difference between online training and taking coursework for a degree.

I tell training company that I can't do this and they say, too bad, you signed a contract. Actually interim manager is the one who put it in writing.

I am really annoyed that HR won't approve it - if I buy training materials one certification at a time it is bound to cost a lot more and I am now worried that they will not approve anything I do.

But the training company is not going to drop this quietly. Its all so stupid.

Geez why did I have to do something as stupid as make a plan to upgrade my skills and certifications in a way which would save the company money?

:rant: