Resignation might cause difficulties

[CharDee]

I resigned from my role as nursery manager earlier this week. I work 3 long days and then one normal day. My new role is term time 8-4, still 4 days and pays more money than I get at the moment.

The nursery has been struggling for a while now and the owner is constantly telling me how tight everything is and how she struggles to pay wages each month. We lose children to local preschools and then the owner won't buy new toys and resources so the setting looks a bit tired and bare. Then COVID hit and has made things worse. She told me a couple of weeks ago that they were considering selling up or closing but told me that was confidential.

Obviously I have to think about what's best for me and my family so this new job which is safe, in a thriving setting which has full occupancy and a waiting list is the better option even before thinking about the pay and hours being better.

The owner isn't happy about my decision to leave and initially responded with "Well you're just fucking me over after everything I've done for you." Not sure exactly what she's done, I took some time off unpaid last year and the deputy manager took care of everything so that wasn't the owner supporting me! During lockdown I continued working whilst on furlough to at least try and keep the nursery going and wasn't thanked for doing this. I did say that I was worried about job security and finances and suddenly there was more money to offer me which still wouldn't be enough. I stuck with my decision and then she text me last night to say that they won't look for a new manager and so my resignation will probably mean they close and people lose their jobs. I haven't replied but feel really angry that she's put this on me when she was already talking about it.

I don't think I should withdraw my notice but would feel awful if they did close as people would lose their jobs and think that I'm to blame.

Am I doing the right thing?

Never give loyalty beyond the loyalty an employer shows you. Making life changing decisions to benefit an employer, when they would never make decisions to please you is madness.

Enjoy your new job!

I would remind her of your conversation about closing/selling and then just stay out of her way for the rest of your notice.

She sounds like she's the type to try and make things difficult for you so if it gets too much don't hesitate to go off sick. She's showing you no niceness so you don't need to show her any.

Completely understand there was work to do during lock down, but you shouldn't have been furloughed in that case.
Our son's nursery (which sounds very similar to the one you are moving to) had some workers throughout as they were open to key workers but also to do that kind of admin. The owner should have done it if they needed to furlough you!

Anyway, definitely go for the new job and run as fast as you can!

Are you sure the new job will pay more? Have you understood how term time only works and pays? You are doing a 35 hour week and will be paid for approx 44 weeks a year (including annual leave) but averaged over 12 months. Unless you are on minimum wage as a nursery manager it is unlikely to be paying more even in a fair wage employer

@Polnm

Are you sure the new job will pay more? Have you understood how term time only works and pays? You are doing a 35 hour week and will be paid for approx 44 weeks a year (including annual leave) but averaged over 12 months. Unless you are on minimum wage as a nursery manager it is unlikely to be paying more even in a fair wage employer

Given the OP does the funding stuff for her current nursery it's a fair guess she'd understand how term time only works.

@Polnm I am on a very low wage for what I do at the moment and the new place pays above what is usually expected for a manager. I took a pay cut from another manager role for this one a few years ago as the hours worked better for me and DH has a decent job so we could afford to. However my wages haven't increased in line with minimum wage so I'm on slightly more than the other staff at the moment. I've asked for pay rises and have been told there is no money for one. I've stayed because it's been convenient but decided to start looking elsewhere during lockdown.

The current manager of the new setting spoke about wages with me as I did query it but the pay is actually what I had thought it was and is a lot more than I'm on now.

You are doing the right thing. What happens to the nursery is her business. Not your responsibility or problem.