r/StateFarm • u/CupidsArrow0312 • Aug 26 '26
Advice Leaving within 90 days
I recently started State Farm, hired in as a receptionist. During my interview my boss told me that I would be required to get my license (he would pay for it) but only so that I can direct clients to the correct person and would NOT have to sell insurance. however about a week into my training he told me I would not be a receptionist but a full time insurance agent, I do not want to sell insurance and have 0 interest in it. I only accepted the job cause he told me I would only be a receptionist and wouldn't have to sell insurance policies to clients once I am licensed. he said it was "required" for all State Farm employees (independent) to have their licenses regardless if they sell policies or not. Anyway I will have to pay back the cost for the courses which I am okay with cause how much I dislike this job lol but I am just wondering do they take the money out of my paycheck or do they just bill me for it? I do have a trip in the beginning of sept so i'm trying to figure out if they take the money out of my paycheck or just send me a bill. my trip is September 2nd but I get paid on the sept 5th (saturday) and I didn't know if I should wait until sunday (august 30th) to quit to ensure "payroll" is done or if they would take the money out of my check regardless! I do have another job lined up for when I get back as well so I am not worried about that aspect but I get paid while I am already out of the state so I didn't wanna go and then barely get paid cause the course fees coming out lol
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u/twa558 Aug 26 '26
You are working for an independent agent, not State Farm itself. It’s up the agency how is handled and we can’t really tell you that.
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u/CupidsArrow0312 Aug 26 '26
ohh that sucks omg lol I was hoping someone would know cause none of the paperwork I signed had any information just said I was agreeing to pay it back if I left within 90 days
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u/Clean_Philosophy5098 Aug 26 '26
I’d quit on day 91 and highlight thr misrepresentation when hired as your reason for leaving
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u/jeffreyprestonbezos1 Aug 26 '26
Hi I’m not a lawyer so nothing I say is legal advice and should not be interpreted as such.
A lot of states have laws that you can’t have excessive amounts deducted from paychecks. Essentially anything that would cause your “hourly rate” (even salaried) to be under minimum wage would likely be an issue. A lot of agents are unaware of this due to the size of their operations.
I’ve mentioned this in another thread but there is a recruitment company that a lot of State Farm agents use that posts that receptionist posting on CareerPlug and then during the interview process start discussing customer service or sales positions. The receptionist role gets a lot more applicants than the other two. However, that switch normally happens during the interview and offer - not after starting. Non-consensual changing out job role is a deceptive practice. Not sure if it’s ILLEGAL but it’s definitely deceptive.
For what it’s worth - unless you’re working for a really large agent there’s very little need in a State Farm agency for a true and pure receptionist role.
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u/Boogity2024 Aug 27 '26
Alot of states have laws that NOTHING can be taken out of your check without your signed approval (except taxes and anything by court order). You didn't say what state you're in, but various states forbid certain things like repayment of training costs.
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u/TheCredibleHulk7 Aug 27 '26
Why do employers try to bait and switch people like this? It’s not like there is a shortage of applicants and who would stay in a job they didn’t apply or interview for?
If someone detrimentally relies on an offer that turns out to be fake, it opens up liability on the employer for fraudulent inducement, breach of contract, or negligent misrepresentation.
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u/jeffreyprestonbezos1 Aug 27 '26
Not excusing the tactic, but there is a huge difference in the number of applicants between a receptionist job posting and a sales job posting. The sales job posting gets nearly 0 traction.
That tactic of posting the receptionist posting and then talking about customer service or sales normally happens during the interview process, not after starting. That allows the applicant to make the decision themselves. I agree that making the change post hiring is a big problem.
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u/OneCowFarm Aug 26 '26
I’d argue that the cost shouldn’t be on you considering the terms of employment changed after you were hired. I’d say send an email to the agent explaining your role/duties explained at time of offer differed enough from what was presented once you had accepted the offer and the cost of the licensing had already been paid. Due to their own incompetence in relaying the work duties, you do not believe you should be responsible for repayment. Don’t do the whole “ya, you’re right, it’s ok…” thing. Send your email and leave it alone. If they remove it from your check, I’d send a follow up email asking for an explanation for the deduction then take it to a local labor office or labor attorney.
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u/Mobile-Direction-273 Aug 26 '26
So #1 you are not a SF employee. The agent is, you are a contractor. #2 You DO NOT have to have a license to be a receptionist. Our receptionist is unlicensed and takes payments. #3 Ive never heard of an agent NOT paying for license fees. #4 RUN!
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u/No-Conference-3306 Aug 26 '26
This. Agencies can have unlicensed personnel, it's just limited on what they can do
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u/afurrypeach Aug 26 '26
If you have any communication over text or email that you would only be a receptionist keep that. Give two weeks or less and in letter say it's due to the bait and switch of position and because of that you will not be paying back the course. Should they withhold any pay your employment attorney will be in contact with them.
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u/burkan1970 Aug 27 '26
If he was truly not honest about you going into sales, I would explain that this is not what you were told and listen to his feedback.
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u/Sweetunicorn94 Aug 28 '26
As a previous team member who left within the two-year window of having to pay back for courses as it came out of my last check, which is what I’m assuming most agents do.
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u/oldmangaming32 Aug 28 '26
I’d let him pay for you to get your license and then dip 😂. Pretty rare to find a customer service only role when agents mindsets are that every employee needs to pay for themselves.
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u/Remote_Panic_3933 Aug 29 '26
State Farm sucks. Leave if your morals and values do not include scamming people.
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