I signed a contract in order to get my TS/SCI processed that states the company has a 90 day window upon grant of the clearance that they can place me and If I leave the contract within 12 months I have to pay them 5000 for the clearance. I know you will say that a TS/SCI is worth 5000 but isn’t this dangerously close to selling a clearance and do you think it is binding if they can’t get me the job that I want? I would like to know if anyone else has done this. I saw some posts about reimbursements for training but not for clearance processing fees.
I don’t think that it in any way is “selling a clearance” . . . I do think that it’s unethical, unless, maybe, they put on the payroll now AND it is unlikely to hold up in court in any case.
I don’t think it’s selling either. I do see if they are footing the bill to clear you that there should be some expectation of return of service.
When my company relocated me I had to give two years of service for them to cover, one year was 50% of cost, and below a year was full reimbursement to the company.
I routinely see reimbursement for relocation costs, education costs, but that is a first. We lose people all the time after getting them cleared. I don’t think it would hold up in court. Wonder if our resident clearance lawyer could post on that and its chance of passing muster? If you sign it, and then they initiate a collection…in a sense I can see it holding up under contract law. But if you disagree with it, refuse to sign it. If they refuse to put you in for it and refuse to hire you…move on. In the current economy you are in the catbird seat. There are plenty cleared positions in need of competent people. If the company paid better they would keep their people. These bottom feeder contracts are just that. Jobs paying lowest wage possible and subjecting good people to deeply intrusive investigation. Its hard enough finding people without a criminal record. Finding folks who clear with no drugs, good finances, etc…they should be paid to reflect how they live their lives.
OPM handles clearance costs and in reality it is never as much as people say or think it is.
“Selling a clearance” is debatable but they can’t sell you something they don’t own. Your clearance doesn’t transfer with you if you flat out quit. When you leave the contractor they submit to have your clearance disabled since you no longer require it. Probably wouldn’t hold up in court if you fought it. I wouldn’t have suggested signing it without having an attorney review it first.