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Florida contracts, 'right to work'


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Hi everyone,

 

I am a new grad and I recently signed a two year contract with a small practice. I am nearing the end of my 90 day probation period, and I am not sure if this is the right job for me. Now I am feeling pressure to find something else (in the specialty that I have actually always wanted) before my 90 days are up. I know that Florida is a 'Right to work' state. I have been told that this makes contracts in FL useless. I have read about it, and it is still very unclear to me. 

 

Fla. Const. Article 1, § 6
§ 6. Right to Work

The right of persons to work shall not be denied or abridged on account of membership or non-membership in any labor union or labor organization. The right of employees, by and through a labor organization, to bargain collectively shall not be denied or abridged. Public employees shall not have the right to strike. (Constitution Amended by General Election, 1944; Revised by General Election November 5, 1968)

 

Regardless of whether I will have to break my contract or not, or what the repercussions of that would be, I would appreciate any advice on how to approach this with my employer. I plan to sit down and have a discussion about my progress, as well as to express my concerns, before just calling it quits. Also wondering just how stringent this 90 day period is. My 90 will come to a close on December 8 (very soon!). 

 

Thanks

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Reading that statute and using it to justify breaking your contract is disconnected. Did you read it?

I also dont think that this statute renders your contract useless.

Your best course is to discuss with a lawyer that specializes in contracts, something you might have done prior to signing it.

You could sit down and discuss with the owners of the practice that you dont think you are a good fit. They may agree and be amenable to let you out of the contract.

Or not.

This is a good way to get yourself in a situation not only legally but with the state medical board. Practices could report unprofessional behavior which is what breaking the contract could be construed as especially if the practice was caught short staffed due to your sudden departure.

Best to act conservatively here. If you dont want to stay, you have to prove that there are elements of the contract the practice and employer have not met such as pay, benefits, reimbursements, working conditions.

You can walk away from your old retail job, this is not the case.

Another reason not to consider contracts longer than a year.

Good luck.

G Brothers PA-C

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The right to work clause says that union membership cannot be required to take a job. I frankly can't see how that fits your case.

 

Many of us started out in jobs that we weren't sure was a good fit. Spend a few days figuring out what you want to do before you decide to leave. Know WHY you want to leave. Be headed toward something, not away from something.

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  • 2 weeks later...

That statute impacts labor union contracts, not yours.

 

Does your contract have any teeth? Maybe a non-compete? What is the termination provision? Is there a liquidated damages section?

 

Ultimately, the group can't "make" you work for them. You just need to see what their remedy is if you decide to break the contract. In many cases, especially with you being so new, it isn't worth the legal fees to go after you.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

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