PapaDolmio,
Writing it off might set a precedent, you are quite right. Not such a bad thing really if it sets the precedent that the organisation takes responsibility for it's own screw ups and doesn't leave people hung out to dry for something that is not their own making methinks. How would the average man on the street take to being told he had a debt of 30 grand to repay out of the blue?
Perhaps it might make the organisation take a little more responsibility for governing itself better along with valuing and investing in career management rather than crisis management.
HEDP