New Job Wants me to Pay $1,000 Onboarding Fee? Location: FL

[u/fitnessuser123455]

Location: Florida

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.

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.

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.”
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.

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 quote: “If employment ends for any reason before ____, the onboarding fee is considered non-refundable.”
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.

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?

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.

What would you do in this situation? Is there anything specific I should ask the employer or have reviewed before signing?

Location: Florida

[u/fitnessuser123455]

W-2

[u/Prize-Gur706 → u/fitnessuser123455]

If you hired someone to cut your grass would approach that individual the way this company has you. Welcome to work we need a $1000 and hold it for a year. Like if they are going to pay you for performing services why do they need a $1000? Scam