Can a city government force their employees to “further their education”?

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Can a city government force their employees to “further their education”?

I work for a small city. My fire chief wants all employees old/new to become paramedics. I am not interested. He is assuming all costs for the classes and testing. There are 12 employees, 9 who have achieved it, and 2 working towards it (unhappily) and myself who has been in class and failed. He wants to force me back into the class again. What are my options?

Asked on July 26, 2012 under Employment Labor Law, Virginia

Answers:

FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 11 years ago | Contributor

Under the laws of all states in this country a representative of a municipality cannot force an employee of it to take classes to further their education unless the classes are mandated for some continuing education requirement of the employee who may have a professional license.

You cannot be required to take the classes, but by not taking them and doing the best you can, you may be hurting yourself for advancement in the position that you which can lead to a higher pay scale.


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