Training agreement

iFLY87

iFLY87

Well-Known Member
I work for a small 135 company who wants us to sign a training agreement prior to every training event.


This agreement is meant to define an intended relationship between an employee (Pilot) and employer. xxxxx(employer) intends to commit certain funds for the purpose of Initial or Recurrent Training for the Pilot listed below.

The Pilot agrees that by accepting the appointment for the training listed below, his or her intentions at present are to remain employed by xxxxxxx for the duration of the training commitment, generally 1 calendar year. Pilot further asserts that he or she is not currently soliciting or considering any other employment opportunities.



Under the terms of this Pilot Agreement, no employee may solicit an existing Client of Xxxx on behalf of themselves or another flight service provider. Solicitation may include but not belimited to: engaging in employment discussions; offering alternative flight solutions, encouraging or suggesting a change of flightprovider, or generally causing distress in the relationship between Xxxx and its Clients.Solicitation under these terms shall be cause for termination and enforcement of any actions orpolicies associated with such.
End

My biggest issue with it right now, is the section that states I am not soliciting or considering other employment. The truth is, I have applications floating with a few majors and other companies. All of which I think would be a better place to work. I don't actually expect much attention from the places I've applied because I don't have competitive flight times. Just a little over minimums. But regardless if they called I'd go! And anyone in my shoes would. We are compensated well below national averages. This contract use to have a dollar amount attached to it until I complained and won the battle.

So I have 2 options
A. Sign and go on. I'm sure this will make for a bad reference in the future. Do airlines care if you check the do not call current employer box??
Or
B. Explain that I have applied other places. If I do this, there is a chance they will ween me out from flying until I'm out of jet aircraft and back to the Navajo. Or possibly let me go.

What should I do!? I consider myself a very honest guy, but can not afford to lose my job or even be reduced to only flying prop aircraft because they won't send me back to recurrent traing. I've been here for over 4 years now, so I'm not going to take a rating and run......I just want to be able to better myself at some point.

Thanks in advance.
 
That's a crappy situation. I don't have answers for you other than get out as soon as you can. If you've been there for 4 years and they are asking you to sign this crap, then it's time to move on, if possible.

Best of luck!
 
Thanks Stone Cold. I may just sign and go back through applications and check the box for do not contact current employer. Sucks as I think that looks really bad, but I think telling them I have apps out there will cause a lot of heartache.
 
iFLY87 said:
Thanks Stone Cold. I may just sign and go back through applications and check the box for do not contact current employer. Sucks as I think that looks really bad, but I think telling them I have apps out there will cause a lot of heartache.
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I would do exactly the opposite of that.
It's going to cost them more money to get rid of you. Don't look bad for your potential employers to please the place you are trying to leave.
 
"his or her intentions at present are to remain employed by xxxxxxx for the duration of the training commitment,"

Intentions change. This is poorly written at best and I can't imagine will go anywhere legally. It does say a lot about the company though if they are asking you to sign that after FOUR years with them.

I'd get out of that place ASAP.
 
Collecting unemployment isn't really an option right now. I'm solely supporting my family on my earnings. I spoke with a mentor of mine who was at once my chief at another company but now flys for fractional. His advice was to sign. He said it is illegal for my current employer to say anything negative about me. He said he knew from past experience because he got himself in trouble for mentioning he wouldn't rehire someone.
 
iFLY87 said:
He said it is illegal for my current employer to say anything negative about me. He said he knew from past experience because he got himself in trouble for mentioning he wouldn't rehire someone.
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That isn't true. Your employer can say anything about you as long as it is true. They only get in "trouble" if they say something false.

That doesn't preclude them from getting sued and many companies have HR policies to avoid negative reviews to avoid expense of litigation.

But no law exits that keeps them from telling the truth
 
av8tr1 said:
That isn't true. Your employer can say anything about you as long as it is true. They only get in "trouble" if they say something false.

That doesn't preclude them from getting sued and many companies have HR policies to avoid negative reviews to avoid expense of litigation.

But no law exits that keeps them from telling the truth
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I don't believe that is correct in many states.
 
I would disagree and suggest you seek legal advice.

The truth is an absolute defense against both slander and libel which are the two legal terms for which this act would apply.

One may also be protected by the 1st amendment in expressing an opinion.

So an employer may make any claim about a current and former employee as long as it is the truth. However that does not in any way preclude the employer from facing a lawsuit for it. Said employer then has to prove the claim in court which can sometimes be problematic and expensive and ultimately come down to an opinion.

However, an opinion is still protected speech so the employer can still state his/her opinion and still not violate laws.

Stating that a company would not rehire an individual is not violation of the law. Employer can choose to do and publicly state this for any reason provided it does not apply to a protected class, such as the disabled, or gender, or other protected classes.
 
Thanks for bringing this to my attention Av8tr1. I did some research and they can say the "truth" but most companies won't say much due to fear of being sued.
-update
I called all the pilots and we all agree we shouldn't have to sign. We're going to make a stand an not sign. Can't fire all of us!
 
No worries. If you buy the drinks I'll give you the story behind It.

Also @Monk is correct. In many states training contracts can be disputed. But bear in mind that you can sign away your rights in an enforceable contract. So I would be careful when presented with a contract. Run it by a lawyer, always.
 
iFLY87 said:
Thanks for bringing this to my attention Av8tr1. I did some research and they can say the "truth" but most companies won't say much due to fear of being sued.
-update
I called all the pilots and we all agree we shouldn't have to sign. We're going to make a stand an not sign. Can't fire all of us!
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Someone will sign. Most likely, someone like you who can't afford to be fired.
 
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