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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

WIBU not to accept the offer of an extension to my maternity cover contract?

27 replies

Why2 · 08/05/2019 07:01

I need help making a decision - I am working in an admin position in a school which is a maternity cover and was due to finish at the end of July.

Now the head has proposed that my contract is extended until the end of December, which would help me in that it would mean definitely being paid over the summer.

However in some ways I am keen to leave at the end of July. WIBU to decide this (I need to let the head know asap) despite the risk that it is difficult to find something for September, and that I will have to use my (sparse) savings over the summer?

In some ways I really want to move on as soon as I can because my aim is to find a better paid version of the same job somewhere else if I can, and also closer to home. There is a job like that online with interviews taking place on May 15th, but there is no guarantee I would get to that stage.

WIBU to jump anyway? I am on my own and have three secondary school aged dc. I am anxious to start earning more in light of the fact that the tax credits I get will start to drop off as each of them leaves school. And I am 50 so don’t feel I have time on my side.

Or would you stay in the current job? I would then aim to find a new job for January.

Any advice appreciated .

OP posts:

CottonSock · 08/05/2019 07:02

Easy for me. Stay and look around

cansu · 08/05/2019 07:03

I think that you should accept the extension. If you find a new job you will just give the required notice surely.

RedSheep73 · 08/05/2019 07:03

If you've already told the head then you're better off not agonising about whether you were wrong. Have confidence in your own decision - your reasons must be strong enough or you wouldn't have made the decision!

JenniferJareau · 08/05/2019 07:03

Were you placed there through an agency or did you apply directly?

BeanBag7 · 08/05/2019 07:04

I would stay in the current job in order to be paid over the summer.

Ffsnosexallowed · 08/05/2019 07:06

Stay and continue to look for something else. No brainer

user1474894224 · 08/05/2019 07:07

Actually I may get flamed for this....but ....I would actually tell your head. 'as I thought I was going to leave in July I have started to look for my new placement. I don't have anything yet however I have just applied for a new role. It would be a good fit as the salary/hours/location is better. Of course it's right at the beginning of the process and I may not get through to interview but if I do I would like to try to get the role. Of course if it doesn't come off I would love to stay." This might not be 100%accurate but you are being honest. Also indicated you might need more money. Is there any possibility of another role where you are? Jobs like this in school don't come up often so I wouldn't leave without another role to go to.

Gruzinkerbell1 · 08/05/2019 07:10

Stay and continue to look for something else.

SoupySlide · 08/05/2019 07:10

Wouldn't you be paid for the summer on the basis of what you've already worked? School staff's pay in the summer is part of their termly pay held back to make a summer holiday pay. Whenever I've left temporary and permanent jobs in schools I've aways been paid in the summer holidays.

Having said that, if jobs in your area are hard to come by, I would accept the extension and keep looking around. School jobs are more scarce for a December start than a September one.

fedup21 · 08/05/2019 07:11

If I had no alternative and I was a single mum, I wouldn’t go. Take the money and keep looking, it’s always easier to get a job when you already have one.

Sadly, your job (like mine) is very limited or even the only one in the school so you are very restricted by what will be available-you might need to wait for some time for a job to come up locally.

6079SmithW · 08/05/2019 07:20

IME it's much easier to find a job/get an interview if you are already employed. As others have said I would accept the extension but continue looking for something else. You never know how long it will take to find something and you don't want to find yourself six months down the line still unemployed.

SpiderP · 08/05/2019 07:47

Take the extension. You haven't actually given a reason for not staying at the current job (you said you want another job but nothing is stopping you still applying for something else). Imagine how much you'll be kicking yourself come September if you end up unemployed!

User199999999o9o999 · 08/05/2019 08:04

Stay and look while there. Better to be in an ok job and happily looking then have no job, bills and stressful looking.

BlueSkiesLies · 08/05/2019 08:18

Stay and look for another time whilst in work.

NannyRed · 08/05/2019 08:29

I’d stay, keep looking for another job but at least you will have job security for the rest of this year.

RestingBitchFaced · 08/05/2019 08:30

Definitely stay

StillCoughingandLaughing · 08/05/2019 08:33

Yep, stay and keep looking. You’re under no obligation to stay until December by doing so - and I wouldn’t be surprised if, if you look at our contract closely, they can also let you go using the same notice period you’d have to give to leave.

Dyrne · 08/05/2019 08:43

Agree with PP - just because your contract is extended to December, surely if you find something else you just give the required notice and leave as normal?

That way you’re not risking being out of work.

greenlloon · 08/05/2019 09:03

it seems obvious stay and look for jobs

Original poster

Why2 · 08/05/2019 09:07

Thanks for all the messages.

Just to answer a few questions - I was hired via an agency but am now employed by the school. And no, if I leave at the end of July, my money stops.

I guess what I would like to do is apply for this great job I have seen, and by next week I will know if I have got an interview. But my current Head wants to know this week so she can start looking for someone for September. Which leaves me unable to apply for this great job - which would begin in September.

If I do agree to stay until December, I kind of think I should then only start looking for January jobs as to leave earlier than the end of December would be unfair on my current school?

OP posts:

jackstini · 08/05/2019 09:10

Not at all unfair - everyone employed there no matter how long will have a notice period

Stay, apply for the other job and see how you go

Singlenotsingle · 08/05/2019 09:13

Apply anyway. Tell the head about it, and that yes you'll stay on, but subject to you not being successful in your application.

WeeDangerousSpike · 08/05/2019 09:14

They would have been paying the agency fees, and now aren't - do you think there might be room for you to negotiate better pay in this role?

Dyrne · 08/05/2019 09:15

Definitely not unfair; you have no need to be so loyal to your current school to the extent where you risk leaving yourself without a job to please them! I can guarantee they wouldn’t show you the same consideration!

WoahThereMama · 08/05/2019 09:15

I don’t see the point in leaving if you don’t have another job to go to. Stay and job hunt and then hand in your notice earlier if you are offered a job that you want.

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