Florida employee accepts a new job to learn they must pay a $1000 onboarding fee and stay a full year to get it back: ‘Is it even legal to charge a fee?’

Author image for Cata Holmes
Cata Holmes • Writer
Sep 12, 2026 9:45 AM EDT

Starting a new job usually means getting paid… not handing your employer $1000 before you've even made it through training.

By now, I've read multiple stories about a new position or a new job. Most of them talk about how a hiring manager leaves the candidate with no response for months, or how the initial salary expectation is not met once the person is employed… But this is the first time that I'm reading a story about a candidate who has to pay to be able to start working at the company that just hired him.

According to what they told him, this has to be paid on his first day, either in cash or by check, and the only way for him to get it back is by staying for a full year and being in a good position. Also, there's a disclaimer that states that the company can keep the money if they decide to terminate his contract for any reason. Have you ever heard of something like this? Because this is my first time.

The employee thinks this job is a legitimate one, and he doesn't feel they're trying to scam him. Actually, he met the team, is a small one, but he feels they're honest. He thinks this might be because the company wants to hire someone who's going to stay for the long run and wants people to commit and to put their 100% into the job… but charging $1000 is not the way to go.

A lot of things can happen in a whole year, and that doesn't mean that someone is going to be quitting. If I were in that position, I don't think I'd pay that amount of money to start working… it doesn't really make sense. Besides, I'd be very hesitant about the fact of not being fired, and that would make me anxious and not be able to concentrate properly. 

The employee hasn't made a decision yet, but many people are telling him that it is not a legitimate job because no company made their employees pay just to start working. 

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  • An employee looks at his laptop, considering whether to accept a new job that requires a $ 1,000 onboarding fee.
    via Unsplash+ (via orji joseph)

    An employee looks at his laptop, considering whether to accept a new job that requires a $ 1,000 onboarding fee. 

    Scene is illustrative and does not depict actual individuals or events.

  • I recently moved to Florida and was offered a job. It is a legitimate job. I went in person, met the small team, and shadowed, so I'm not asking about whether this is a job phishing scam.
    via fitnessuser123455
  • However, they told me I need to pay a $1,000 onboarding fee that will supposedly be refunded after one year of employment. I would have to pay it upfront on my first day of training, either by cash or check, and sign an agreement.
    via fitnessuser123455
  • I won't upload the agreement because it contains personal information, but it is titled "Employee Onboarding and Training Fee Agreement" and also refers to an "Employee Onboarding Investment Agreement."
    via fitnessuser123455
  • The agreement says the fee helps offset things such as the background check, administrative processing, training, orientation, service training, trainers/coaches' time, employee uniforms, and required onboarding materials and resources.
    via fitnessuser123455
  • It states that I will receive the full $1,000 reimbursement one year from now as long as I am still employed and in good standing with the company and have not voluntarily resigned or been terminated. It also says, and I
    via fitnessuser123455
  • quote: "If employment ends for any reason before the onboarding fee is considered non-refundable."
    via fitnessuser123455
  • I understand that they may be doing this because they want someone who will stay with the company long-term. I genuinely don't think they are trying to scam me or make extra money from me.
    via fitnessuser123455
  • My question is whether this is actually legal or standard in Florida. Is an employer allowed to require an employee to pay $1,000 upfront for onboarding/training and then make the employee forfeit it if they leave before a year?
    via fitnessuser123455
  • I genuinely want the job, but I also don't know if I can commit to staying for a full year, and I don't want to put $1,000 at risk.
    via fitnessuser123455
  • What would you do in this situation? Is there anything specific I should ask the employer or have reviewed before signing?
    via fitnessuser123455
  • I know it's not a job scam, they are just trying to have long term employees. Is there a way to ask for no fee? Is it even legal to charge a fee.
    via fitnessuser123455
  • An employee takes cash from a wallet to pay a mandatory onboarding fee.
    via Unsplash+ (via Curated Lifestyle)

    An employee takes cash from a wallet to pay a mandatory onboarding fee. 

    Model representation.

  • Embarrassed-Spare524 Zero legitimate jobs do that. If, by some tiny chance, a legitimate company is experiencing temporary insantiy, just keep looking. Its not worth getting involved in.
    via fitnessuser123455
  • dasguy40 If this company is that desperate for $1000 you don't want to work for them anyhow. Hard pass.
    via fitnessuser123455
  • fleeb64 This is 100% a scam. Don't fall for it.
    via fitnessuser123455
  • CancelAfter 1968 The fact that you met people in person does not mean it's not a scam. No legitimate job is going to ask for a fee like that. And you can guarantee thst IF you were foolish enough to pay it and move forward they would find a reason to fire you within the year. No way you'd get that money back.
    via fitnessuser123455
  • Nolimitz30 They probably terminate people after 30 or 60 days and just repeat the cycle to scam people. Is this job also commission based?
    via fitnessuser123455
  • OrangeSalmonGuru "The agreement says the fee helps offset things such as the background check, administrative processing, training, orientation, service training, trainers/coaches' time, employee uniforms, and required onboarding materials and resources." This is all stuff that employers are responsible to provide.
    via fitnessuser123455
  • Ksnku I think you're confused. You're suppose to be getting paid to work. not the other way around
    via fitnessuser123455
  • A new employee works on a laptop.
    via Unsplash+ (via orji joseph)

    A new employee works on a laptop.

    Recreated scenario included to enhance reader understanding.  

  • LacyLove I would let this go and move on. This is a scam.
    via fitnessuser123455
  • Crafty611 There is no legitimate job out there that requires this
    via fitnessuser123455
  • Tall-Koala-1786 I've heard of jobs that make you pay for training (like to be a coach at a gym) out of your own pocket, but never a straight reverse- bonus/onboarding fee. Run away.
    via fitnessuser123455

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