Local school system not paying for employee orientation (Clayton: fingerprinting, school districts)

[Wildworld90]

I have an 8 hour orientation with Clayton County Public Schools for a substitute teacher position this week. However this orientation although required is stated as unpaid. There was a job fair where candidates were interviewed and scheduled for the orientation as well as for a later fingerprinting/background check assessment. I thought it was federal law that employees must be paid for required trainings and orientations, am I wrong on that?

The only thing I can think is perhaps they are loopholing that law by having all of us do our fingerprinting and background check after the orientation because I assume we are not officially hired until all that goes through. Has anyone heard of this? I know the school systems are trying to save a buck or two I am just surprised they can get away with not paying for orientations. Especially for eight hours, it isn't an in and out trip to sign papers and leave. I'm not trying to come off greedy, I could have just sworn it was law to be paid for these types of things.

[midgeorgiaman]

The training is to make you eligible to work, not required training of an employee. You are not eligible to be hired without the training. It is a fine line, but standard across most school districts. I don't know how they get anybody to substitute teach now with the prospect having to pay for their own fingerprinting and background check as well as submit to unpaid training. Best of luck to you. In my opinion substitute teaching makes sense for retired teachers and prospective teachers only. Everybody else can make a whole lot more dealing with a whole lot less as a walmart greeter. That being said, the hours and ability to accept or decline work based on the day make it good for some I suppose.

[Wildworld90]

I'm doing it for the flexibility of working when I want since I work a regular full time job including weekends and weekdays are my days off. The training to make you eligible to work vs. training for work seems like a blurry line indeed, ah well though. It is what it is. I'm still surprised they can get away with it though even if it's standard practice with all school systems.

[sedimenjerry]

I worked for Gwinnett as a sub. I didn't have an 8 hour orientation, it was basically 1-2 hours and it was mainly paperwork and fingerprinting. I did, however, have to take an online course and pass. It was $30 I think which is fairly steep considering that's 3 hours of pay. Hopefully your training will teach you more than mine did. My first day subbing was like driving off a cliff.