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wgffireftr

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So I'm looking for some help here, my Vol. Squad in NY (Upstate NY) is paying for my Paramedic, we are classified as a not for profit organization, they are trying to get me to sign a contract stating that if I drop out, fail out or just don't complete the course then I owe them the money, they are also trying to get me to sign a service contract giving them two years of service and if I leave before the two years then I owe them the full amount...problem is I have already completed the 1st semester and I am 90% throught the 2nd semester and they are just bringing this to my attention...thoughts????? Also if there are any legal standpoints you mention please provide a link so I have some backling in writing......

Thanks!
 
wgffireftr said:
So I'm looking for some help here, my Vol. Squad in NY (Upstate NY) is paying for my Paramedic, we are classified as a not for profit organization, they are trying to get me to sign a contract stating that if I drop out, fail out or just don't complete the course then I owe them the money, they are also trying to get me to sign a service contract giving them two years of service and if I leave before the two years then I owe them the full amount...problem is I have already completed the 1st semester and I am 90% throught the 2nd semester and they are just bringing this to my attention...thoughts????? Also if there are any legal standpoints you mention please provide a link so I have some backling in writing......

Thanks!
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This is standard practice in most employers that pay for their employees education but it is odd they didn't have you sign before you started the program. You will most likely end up having to sign it but I would get some clarification on what "two years of service" means (ie. is there a minimum amount of hours necessary in those 2 years?).
 
harryb714 said:
This is standard practice in most employers that pay for their employees education but it is odd they didn't have you sign before you started the program. You will most likely end up having to sign it but I would get some clarification on what "two years of service" means (ie. is there a minimum amount of hours necessary in those 2 years?).
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Well the squad has paid for medics in the past, and they would stick around for a bit then leave, I plan on sticking around for a bit but if a job comes up somewhere then im gone. The reason they didn't have me sign one prior to starting class...well you'd have to know my squad haha, they don't exactly have it together on the executive side sometimes...
 
Do they have a written education or scholarship policy that states this?
Have you already paid for the class? Have they already paid you?
Do you realistically expect to complete the class? (it sounds like you do)
Do you like it there? Do you realistically expect to stay with that service for 2 more years?
 
Simusid said:
Do they have a written education or scholarship policy that states this?
Have you already paid for the class? Have they already paid you?
Do you realistically expect to complete the class? (it sounds like you do)
Do you like it there? Do you realistically expect to stay with that service for 2 more years?
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They are currently creating an education policy. They have already paid for the fall and the spring (current semester) all thats left is the summer semester. Yes I expect to complete the class. I do like it there for the most part, we do have a lot of BS going on currently as does everyone, I could stay for the 2 years, all dependent on if I find a medic or fire job elsewhere...
 
My thoughts, personally, if you can pay for the summer yourself, do so. They have already paid for everything so it's not like they can pull you from the class.

Now, be fair to them. Once you're done stick around and 'pay it forward' as long as you can.
 
Chimpie said:
My thoughts, personally, if you can pay for the summer yourself, do so. They have already paid for everything so it's not like they can pull you from the class.

Now, be fair to them. Once you're done stick around and 'pay it forward' as long as you can.
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I agree.
 
wgffireftr said:
They are currently creating an education policy. They have already paid for the fall and the spring (current semester) all thats left is the summer semester. Yes I expect to complete the class. I do like it there for the most part, we do have a lot of BS going on currently as does everyone, I could stay for the 2 years, all dependent on if I find a medic or fire job elsewhere...
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Our service requires 2 years of volunteer service first, in order to qualify for the scholarship. If you have any prior volly service with them I would at least point that out and suggest that the service obligation be pro-rated.
 
Simusid said:
Our service requires 2 years of volunteer service first, in order to qualify for the scholarship. If you have any prior volly service with them I would at least point that out and suggest that the service obligation be pro-rated.
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Yea I've got 4 years as a junior member ad 3.5 years as a senior member/EMT. I've put time into the agency and plan on staying around for a bit anyways...
 
Chimpie said:
My thoughts, personally, if you can pay for the summer yourself, do so. They have already paid for everything so it's not like they can pull you from the class.

Now, be fair to them. Once you're done stick around and 'pay it forward' as long as you can.
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I was thinking along those same lines, if they harass me about the summer semester then I'll pay for it myself. Yea I do plan on sticking around as long as I can...
 
Really I think its only fair of what they are asking. Medic school isn't exactly cheap, well usually cheaper then 2 semesters at a college. Really they are making an investment in you for the departments betterment.

I guess my department hasn't really ran into this problem before. We do make members pay for the class first and if they pass they will be reimbursed.
 
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