I'm quitting teaching, I've decided, AIBU?

[thequickbrowndog]

That's it, I'm done, I'm leaving! I've spent the whole summer dreading going back. I adore the kids (secondary boys school) but I can't be bullied anymore. I can't stand my work colleagues, I've had to make a formal complaint about bullying. My boss clearly favours other staff over me. Everything always just seems unfair but I just have to get on with it. I work part time but am stressed about it full time because of all the passive aggressive emails while I'm off.
I don't have a job to go to yet, but I'm just done. I can't go back. AIBU?

Definitely something to look into, thank you

People change jobs and careers all the time. Hopefully you will find something else that makes you happy.

As a teacher, I understand your plight OP, and wish you well - I would however not go off sick, either give notice and work until Christmas or be honest and just quit. (the former if you plan to teach again)

The notice periods in teaching are long, and its not uncommon at all for people leaving the profession to give less notice or none at all - I've seen it many times, done it once myself (poached by another school over the summer who were a better fit for me) - never seen any enforcement action taken. You just have to be aware that your reference may well be impacted.

In theory they could come after you for the cost of covering your notice period, but I've never heard of this happening.

Good luck.

In short, being paid for a role she has no intention of returning to.

That would be my suggestion too. Especially as you say you love teaching.

This is what I don't understand about teachers/teaching. Why is there such a 'thing' about deciding to do another job? Loads of people hand their notice in and decide to do something else everyday with no drama.

There's a great big world outside of the classroom, and I sometimes wonder if teaching degrees should only start after a year or two of people being in it. Bouncing from a classroom to classroom and then working in a classroom isn't a well rounded approach in my opinion. Some of the best and most enthusiastic teachers I know came to it later in life.

I think you should consider moving to another school, though it will be very difficult in the interim regardless of whether you are off sick or not. You have a lot to give to children, I would not want to see that lost altogether. That way the bully or bullies have won in a way.

You need to leave. I used to love my job had an amazing boss who was the loveliest lady you could hope to meet and everything was great until she retired and the new boss arrived. She was the complete opposite and created such a toxic environment. I watched several other employees leave because of how she was and spent a yr trying to make it work which seriously affected my MH. The main issue she had was that I had remained in touch with my former boss and we had become close friends. The new boss would constantly question what I had been doing on my days off and if I had been out with "my friend". She didn't like it when I said it had nothing to do with her what I did in my own time. It got to a point when I had to chose between my job or being friends with my former boss and I chose my very dear friend. It was the best decision I ever made 2 yrs on I'm running my own business and enjoying spending time with my friend.

And? What’s the alternative? OP works through until December (which all teachers know is the toughest term), worsening her mental health and risking her physical health?

Do you work in a management role, @Werweisswohin ?

@Werweisswohin everyone else is making useful suggestions, giving their own experiences. You're just being annoying and bitter. I think your taxi is here....

The alternative is that OP hands in notice and quits immediately, no pay for not doing a job she isn't doing or planning to return to.
Unlike OP I do answer questions - no, I don't work in management. I wouldn't be suited to management.

Are you suggesting she adds this to the list of things stressing her out?

Ok so obviously know nothing about how teachers are paid and when they are allowed to give notice so maybe just stop replying.

No, I'm asking genuine questions.
If you speak to others who don't quite agree with you in the same manner as you're doing here then that's also quite telling.

I completely get this, I do feel like I'm giving in to the bullies. This time last year I made my formal complaint, I was told it would be dealt with, and to trust the process. A year later I am still in the same position with regards to the bully, but also feeling let down by management which is worse

I am not a teacher but I have worked in schools - several for about 10 years in total.
My job was supporting HT/SLT with finance,HR,H&S, IT, etc.
It was horrendous. I have never known such a collection of bullying, spiteful, toxic troublemakers in all my professional career. Never seen anything that even comes close across public, private, third sector charities, entrepreneurs, family businesses, NOTHING.

And to everyone (correctly) saying a term notice period- IME they don’t really care, they’ll still snatch your hand off for your resignation and see it as a job well done bullying you out. Plus, if you’re an experienced (read expensive) teacher, it will be a saving for their bottom line so they’ll get a pat on the head from their governors too.

Sorry but in my experience, working for schools is poo 💐

That would have been my suggestion assuming you have decent sick pay or other means of financial survival.

i did it about 14 years ago aged 30 and with a 1 year old.

it was a scary decision but the right one, I’d never go back

Good luck xx

I am aware of how teachers are paid.
I'm not 100% sure of exactly when notice is needed, however the issue is more not working the notice as opposed to specific dates.

Exactly what I did too. When you work somewhere for X amount of years, pour your heart and soul into it and spend all your own money on your classroom (I’ve spent thousands over the years) then yeah, if the job is making you ill you should 100% go off sick. That’s literally the point of sick pay. Whether you’re going back or not. The bottom line is you’re too unwell to work there.

Sick leave forms part of the pay package. Why should she not be able to pay her mortgage due to being bullied at work? Should she live on fresh air while she looks for another job?

Hand in your notice and go off sick until Christmas ! Paid !
Use that time to relax and look for a new job!

I left primary teaching 2 years ago and now work in children’s services and I’m so happy! The dread of Sunday night feeling sick, working all weekend and evenings and being physically and mentally drained is no longer . I earn less but my sanity is worth it !

Thanks for your honesty.

It sounds like your colleagues are the problem and not the actual job. So it would be better to apply for jobs while you are still employed. It's a shame these toxic bullies get into management. Once they are there alas there is no stopping them.

What do you think she should do?