To quit my job?

[5599katherine]

I am a expat abroad and been here for around seven years. I have a long term partner but no children and no family. My job is great, I love my colleagues and the children I teach are delightful.
I am in a complete limbo about whether to stay at my job and keep dreaming of heading home.

During the summer I requested from HR that my contract was shortened to one year instead of two. I was happy to miss out on the bonus and pay rise. When I asked HR if they had made it into one year, they said no. Its still at two years.
I feel so unhappy that they did not do what I asked and now, the contract has started.
What can I do?

In the contract, I can give three months notice before I leave. Should I do that or tell them I will be leaving after one year?

I think it all depends on where you are and what the employment laws are there.

If you no longer enjoy living in that country and can't face doing this job, I would start making long term plans for a change before you give your notice.

Take time to think about:

• whether you no longer want to live in that country at all or whether you just need a job change?
• what you will do when you get back in the UK: where will you live? what job do you want to do?
• can you easily get a teaching job here or do you want a complete change? I have a friend who taught abroad for several years. She came back to the UK and was able to quickly pick supply teaching work but she has struggled to move into a new career (as she wants to leave teaching) because her recent work experience has all been abroad.

Basically, don't just quit without having first worked out the details of your next move then give your notice.

The obvious solution would be to give notice 3 months before a year is up?

My head has stated he would give me a bad reference if I leave before my contract is due.

If the head is blackmailing you using the threat of a poor reference, I would lodge an official complaint with the school board or equivalent where you are. What they are doing is totally unacceptable.

Did you sign the contract?

I signed the two years.. then before the contract was due to begin I emailed HR asking for it to be changed to one year. They agreed and then just didnt do it.

By law the head cannot do this. I think I'd leave asap if that's the attitude of the head tbh.

She's abroad though , they might be able to.

Its really stressing me out.