{
 "slug": "fieldwork-deal-15k-exit-fee-read-the-repay-clause",
 "title": "Fieldwork Deal, $15K Exit Fee: Read the Repay Clause",
 "seo_title": "BCBA Fieldwork Repayment Agreements: Read the Clause Before You Sign",
 "date": "2026-10-21",
 "modified": "2026-10-21",
 "author": "Liat Sacks",
 "publisher": "Pair ABA",
 "summary": "The poster, a clinician in Michigan, has been at their company almost four years. Two years ago they started their practicum there and signed a repayment deal: stay for two years after finishing…",
 "audience": "Clinicians",
 "url": "https://pairaba.com/blog-posts/fieldwork-deal-15k-exit-fee-read-the-repay-clause.html",
 "markdown_url": "https://pairaba.com/blog-posts/fieldwork-deal-15k-exit-fee-read-the-repay-clause.md",
 "api_url": "https://pairaba.com/api/posts/fieldwork-deal-15k-exit-fee-read-the-repay-clause.json",
 "text": "Before the tea: This is a recap of a public r/bcba post from Sep 2, 2026. Pair doesn't know this company, and we're not naming anyone. Not legal advice.\n\nThe post title says it all: \"Being held hostage at my job.\"\n\nThe poster, a clinician in Michigan, has been at their company almost four years. Two years ago they started their practicum there and signed a repayment deal: stay for two years after finishing fieldwork hours, or pay it back. They finished in May.\n\nSince signing that agreement, things have changed…\n\nThe company stopped letting staff bill an hour a week for session notes. It lost its Medicaid contract. Nobody, BCBAs included, has had a raise in two years. When a client has speech or OT during a session, that time isn't paid. Scheduled 9:30 to 4:30, they get paid for five and a half hours. Hours keep getting cut, and they're not even full-time now.\n\nThe exit price? About $15K.\n\nThey want out.\n\nThey can't afford to stay, or to leave.\n\nThe comments offered some practical next steps. The top reply suggested speaking with an employment attorney familiar with Michigan law, especially given how much the working conditions have changed since the agreement was signed.\n\nThe part nobody reads\n\nSupervision through your job is a huge perk. But with a repayment clause, it's closer to a loan with a job attached.\n\nBefore you sign, read it slowly. How much would you owe, and how is it counted? Does it shrink over time? And what happens if the job you signed up for changes, like fewer hours, less pay, or a lost contract?\n\nIf you're already stuck, talk to an employment attorney or your state labor department.\n\nPair's Take\n\nOur matchmakers ask about fieldwork deals before you're in one. Supervision terms should be clear on day one, not a surprise on the way out.\n\nWant fieldwork without the fine print drama?\n\nGET PAIRED\n\nCurious what we're watching? Follow u/PairABA: https://www.reddit.com/user/PairABA/",
 "markdown": "**Before the tea:** This is a recap of a public r/bcba post from Sep 2, 2026. Pair doesn't know this company, and we're not naming anyone. Not legal advice.\n\nThe post title says it all: **\"Being held hostage at my job.\"**\n\nThe poster, a clinician in Michigan, has been at their company almost four years. Two years ago they started their practicum there and signed a repayment deal: stay for two years after finishing fieldwork hours, or pay it back. They finished in May.\n\nSince signing that agreement, things have changed…\n\nThe company stopped letting staff bill an hour a week for session notes. It lost its Medicaid contract. Nobody, BCBAs included, has had a raise in two years. When a client has speech or OT during a session, that time isn't paid. Scheduled 9:30 to 4:30, they get paid for five and a half hours. Hours keep getting cut, and they're not even full-time now.\n\nThe exit price? About $15K.\n\nThey want out.\n\nThey can't afford to stay, or to leave.\n\nThe comments offered some practical next steps. The top reply suggested speaking with an employment attorney familiar with Michigan law, especially given how much the working conditions have changed since the agreement was signed.\n\n**The part nobody reads**\n\nSupervision through your job is a huge perk. But with a repayment clause, it's closer to a loan with a job attached.\n\nBefore you sign, read it slowly. How much would you owe, and how is it counted? Does it shrink over time? And what happens if the job you signed up for changes, like fewer hours, less pay, or a lost contract?\n\nIf you're already stuck, talk to an employment attorney or your state labor department.\n\n**Pair's Take**\n\nOur matchmakers ask about fieldwork deals before you're in one. Supervision terms should be clear on day one, not a surprise on the way out.\n\nWant fieldwork without the fine print drama?\n\n[**GET PAIRED**](https://pairaba.com/)\n\nCurious what we're watching? Follow **u/PairABA**: https://www.reddit.com/user/PairABA/"
}