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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To leave a teaching job after 3 weeks?

178 replies

nocontactforevermore · 08/01/2014 23:24

I am ready to break:/

I left a very stressful head full time of department job in the October half term. I decided to go part time, without extra responsibilities etc and my DP is supportive of this. I had originally felt so bruised by it all that I wanted to leave teaching altogether but was approached by a very local school to me who offered me part time and I thought I'd hit the jackpot. On paper it sounds amazing - 3 miles from my house, working only Tuesdays and Thursdays. The trouble is....I've inherited a department that doesn't have a leader (it's very small anyway) but also is in a big mess. Kids have been entered for wrong exams, haven't completed coursework and to top it off, they've been wild in my lessons:/. I started just before Xmas and within the first day I was sick with anxiety. It built up all over xmas and now that I'm back, it's worse than ever. I am only contracted two days, but the workload means I will have to work at least another 2 from home. They also schedule me for meetings that are the responsibility of a head of department, but that was not the deal. I've pointed out that they are asking too much of me and pushing the kids to achieve too high a level of the qualification that I will never get it gone in time for summer. All I keep getting reminded of is that I was a former head of dept and 'can handle it'.

I can't though. Well I could, if I didn't sleep or felt resentful that I left a full time job for a part time one only to realise I'll be working just as hard. The reason for this is purely and simply because the department has been left to shit. I am on a temporary contract (suited me fine) and feel like they are simply going to 'milk me' until summer, while I'm sent over the edge.

How bad would it be to walk? I've an unbroken 15 year employment history. I am not flaky, but I didn't sleep at all over Xmas and this isn't the fresh start I envisaged.Hmm

OP posts:
AntoinetteCosway · 09/01/2014 08:57

If you have to give half a term's notice, give it now and explain how unhappy you are and how you will not be doing HOD duties that you weren't hired to do. They may suggest you leave earlier than your notice period if they see they're not going to be able to bully you into the HOD job?

Original poster
nocontactforevermore · 09/01/2014 08:57

I have a regular teachers contract. However I have been asked to do planning for classes I don't teach, do exam admin, etc. it's all put very casually, like I would just be a total pain in the arse to refuse. I am already feeling awkward and difficult for pointing out that I don't agree with how much they are expecting from the kids (aka the teacher)

OP posts:
Ragusa · 09/01/2014 08:57

I am in NO way an expert on this issue but it seems to me they aren't honouring their contractual obligations. Sorry, haven't RTFT but I'm sure others have

I agree that a union would be best placed to help you.

But in principle, yes absolutely - make plans to leave! It's really not worth your while suffering so much stress and being paid for only half your work!

And, surely you are the one who is going to be the scapegoat when the kids do poorly in the exams?

Ragusa · 09/01/2014 08:58

Sure others have said similar things that should have read!

nauticant · 09/01/2014 09:00

Leave. But do this by resigning and working your notice. In your resignation letter state that you'll be working according to your contracted duties and won't be doing any informal HoD duties.

You will feel miles better and it's quite likely you'll feel that you can manage till half term.

Thymeout · 09/01/2014 09:00

Be careful about getting yourself signed off sick and leaving for medical reasons. You will have to declare this in future applications because your medical history is important to your potential employer.

Everything is v cut and dried re conditions of service in teaching. You will not be the first person to find yourself in this position. You really do need to get specialist advice from your union. (You ARE a member?) Whether you want to know how to leave asap or to improve your work conditions - e.g. you cannot be asked to attend meetings on days that you do not normally work - they will have the answers.

Original poster
nocontactforevermore · 09/01/2014 09:01

This is the weirdest job I've ever taken. No formal interview, I don't even know if they made a reference request to my last job, they certainly hadn't before I left it- much to my previous heads disgust. I would love to be able to explain to you what I agreed to - but there was no formal discussion about what I would actually agree to because there was ok interview! The head hasn't even bothered to introduce themselves to me???? It's clear they see me as a temp/supply hence the fact that I've not been given the courtesy of an introduction, and to that end I feel like they will be using me for as much as they can. I've worked long enough in schools though to know that they will be able to tie me up in knots, and imply that I am the one who cannot cope.

OP posts:
Ragusa · 09/01/2014 09:01

OK, I see you are not in the UK.

In that case, you need to consult a good employment lawyer and find out what your position is WRT leaving a job without serving the notice period, and also contractual obligations.

Don't stay out of duty, absolutely not, but at the same time make sure you know the potential legal consequences of terminating your contract.

Original poster
nocontactforevermore · 09/01/2014 09:02

Yes I'm in a union

OP posts:
IamGluezilla · 09/01/2014 09:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ilovesooty · 09/01/2014 09:04

Yes. If you resign now your leaving date can be the end of the spring term. State as nauticant says that you will be working the duties you were contracted to do. Get union advice at area level immediately.

ilovesooty · 09/01/2014 09:06

Cross post there. If you haven't got a formal contract I would ask them for a job description in writing. Then work only those duties within it. What scale point are they paying you?

ExcuseTypos · 09/01/2014 09:09

Hand in your notice today.

Work your notice but do not do anything you aren't contracted to do. You are not there to be HOD, so don't do it. Practice a phrase such as "I will do as best I can, but as I'm only here 2 days a week, I doubt I will achieve what you've just asked me".

I would also of to the head and tell them exactly why you are leaving. Sooner rather than later.

ExcuseTypos · 09/01/2014 09:11

The Dr may advice you to take some sick leave, if it's your job that is affecting your health.

Emilycee · 09/01/2014 09:12

No job is worth your health. I feel stressed reading your posts OP so god knows what you must be feeling.

Leave and give yourself some time to recover. Ive had situations in work (Im not a teacher) where I was so stressed I couldnt think clearly or see myself that I could just leave and did not have to put up with a horrid situation.

Be kind to yourself, 15 years is a fantastic working record 3 weeks is nothing, a job I did for 6 months is off my cv and its never affected me getting jobs.

Good luck.

ilovesooty · 09/01/2014 09:14

The posters who keep suggesting the OP loses this from her CV are obviously not familiar with Safer Recruitment guidelines in education.

Thymeout · 09/01/2014 09:21

You've only been there 8 days. Don't think you can draw any conclusions about not having been introduced to the Head. I once worked for 2 terms in a flagship school and never met the Head. He was far too busy swanning around off the premises being a VIP.

Also there is a big difference in status between pt and ft. Not least the assumption that because you're only there for 2 days, you'll be spending the other 3 painting your toenails and eating chocolate and will therefore have the time to do all the extra stuff that's been landed on you.

knitknack · 09/01/2014 09:24

Have you been to see the head? I would schedule a meeting with him/her and lay out the issues as clearly as you have here. It maybe that she/he is not aware of the mess within your dept (but they prob are). Is it ICT? It sounds like it might be...

.... you've nothing to lose and it could be that you end up with the head's support to get on and try to sort things out. They SHOULD also help you out with behaviour expectations (but sometimes you really do have to ask!)

Then, if nothing changes or your concerns are dismissed, LEAVE!

SarahJessicaFarter · 09/01/2014 09:25

Go. I've done this. I'm an FE teacher, I stayed for a year, despite relentless bullying from my centre manager, stress, sleepless nights. In the end it was bad for me and my family. But the reason for staying was guilt about leaving my learners.
I stopped working last June. I haven't looked back. Although money is less, we just spend less and manage. I am volunteering and studying now. You won't regret taking a break.
I've also left a job years ago after a month. Never put it on my CV.
Good luck!

Lilacroses · 09/01/2014 09:34

I honestly think that if you have already worked in schools/colleges and have done well (it sounds as if you have) no one will think too much about your leaving this job. I think most future employers would realise it would've had to be pretty grim to leave after 8 days. This is what I would do. Give in your notice now and tell them why. Call your union and see if you can leave sooner. I find it surprising that you HAVE to work your notice.

I work in a fantastically supportive, caring school and have done for about 14 years. We've had one or two people work at our school over the years who were absolutely appaling teachers (I'm not saying that you are at all....bear with me!) and left under a cloud. Not a single one has failed to find a new job and one has been promoted many times. This is not the case for you, you are clearly a good teacher who is making your own decision to leave. I honestly don't think it will work against you.

Yes, I think support work would be brilliant for a while. Good luck OP.

woodrunner · 09/01/2014 09:36

Thyme's right about expectations of PTers. if I'm ever asked to 'just pop in for a meeting on a day off, I always say I work elsewhere on those three days so no one can clobber me for meetings etc on what they think of as days off. And switch off phone, and don't check work emails. If you are contracted for two days and paid for two days don't let them bully you into doing four. It'll stop happening if everyone refuses to be manipulated.

TooTryHard · 09/01/2014 09:38

I think you need to arrange a meeting with the head and your union rep ASAP.

List all of the things that you aren't happy with and will be refusing to do. Bring up previous lack of assessment and insist on comprehensive support for behaviour management with the class. Provide a long lost of previous tasks that haven't been carried out in order for you to continue the job.

Hand in your notice there and then for Easter. Then say you're willing to leave with immediate effect if they'll let you go. suggest you've considered taking sick leave because you're so stressed by the disarray and unreasonable (and unpaid!) expectation placed on you.

Basically make it clear that it's going to be bloody awkward to keep you on and they're better off letting you go. If all of this happens before you're embedded in the role they'll probably be happy to let you go and then you don't have to worry about blacklisting.

Lilacroses · 09/01/2014 09:38

Too right Woodrunner, you have to put your foot down about that.

Lilacroses · 09/01/2014 09:39

Hand in your notice there and then for Easter. Then say you're willing to leave with immediate effect if they'll let you go. suggest you've considered taking sick leave because you're so stressed by the disarray and unreasonable (and unpaid!) expectation placed on you.

^^^
This.

TalkativeJim · 09/01/2014 09:42

Lots of good advice on here, I'm no expert but would it be a good idea to make it clear that you expect a good reference, and if that is not forthcoming, then you'll be taking legal advice on suing for breach of contract so as to protect your reputation?

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