Worried that I've ruined new job opportunity

[pinkbumble]

Hi everyone,
I applied for my dream role in a school that I would love to work in, and I was offered the job. I was really happy. I currently work part time for childcare reasons, but was open to working full time for this job.
After accepting the job, on a bit of a whim I decided to phone and ask about part time hours. I said that I was still really happy to accept the job as full time, but I felt I should ask just in case it was something that would work well for them.

They said it absolutely would not be possible and that it was always advertised as a full time job and they didn't sound impressed with me asking at all. I apologised for asking and reiterated that I was really pleased to accept the job as full time. But they really didn't sound pleased and I can understand why.

Has this ruined my chances? I'm worried I've at the least made a really bad impression, and worst that they're going to withdraw their offer.

Thanks in advance.

They absolutely cannot withdraw their offer! You did nothing wrong in asking and you really shouldn't worry about this.

You'll just have to wait and see, won't you? Now they think you aren't fully committed and are just waiting for the chance to go pt.

Of course they can withdraw their offer My kingdom!

Thanks you mykingdomofbrie. I just thought it was silly not to ask but now I wish I hadn't.
Singlenotsingle I really really hope they don't see it that way as that is my worry. I am so committed to this job, I wouldn't take it as full time if I wasn't.

I would be devastated to have messed this up.

What an odd thing to do, always best to get in and prove yourself before expecting them to change for you. They'll be wondering why you applied for a FT position.

I think you'll just have to wait and see. It's possible that they will now assume you're taking this job as a stop gap until something part time comes up.

Meh, if that’s enough for them to withdraw the offer do you really want to work for them?
Probably best to find out prior to starting in a job. If you don’t ask you don’t get. I wonder though if you should have asked at interview? Phrased along the lines of, I really would like this job, however if there was any opportunity for part-time hours I would also be interested? Might open up the option for a job sharing opportunity.

I feel sick. I really thought at the time I was doing the sensible thing by asking and that if I got a no then that would be ok, we would just continue as we are. I feel like I have made such a massive mistake.

You are probably overthinking this. It is normal to enquire at this stage about PT/FT. And the person you spoke to is unlikely to be the one who has the say about readvertising.

Interviewing for a teacher is so costly that they’re not going to do that just because you asked if PT was possible.

Once you’re there and you’re one term in, no one will even remember this. Don’t worry!

And congratulations on the new job!

Thank you scary dinosaurs I hope you are right. I feel so upset at the thought that I could have messed this up.

I hope it works out for you OP. Good luck.

It's a totally normal thing to ask and they should reply professionally that part time hours will not work for the job role and do you still want to accept it. They were probably just worried they were going to lose you. Don't dwell, put it behind you.

It's a totally normal thing to ask and they should reply professionally that part time hours will not work for the job role and do you still want to accept it.

It might be a normal thing to ask at application stage, but certainly not after you've applied for full time hours, been interviewed for full time hours, and accepted an offer of full time hours.

OP, it'll probably be fine, but I wouldn't raise it again until you've bedded in, passed your probation, and proved yourself in the role.

@singlenotsingle

Once someone has accepted an 'unconditional' job offer, they're in a legally binding contract of employment. However, a 'conditional' job offer can be withdrawn if the person doesn't meet the employer's conditions (eg satisfactory references and health record).

From the government website. I'd be interested to know what one of their conditions OP has broken by asking a question.

I don't think there was anything wrong with asking. During my interview for the job I'm currently doing, I asked if there was any chance of 4 days instead of full-time. They were very nice about it, but the answer was basically a flat 'no' - fair enough. Management haven't treated me any different, just for asking a question, in fact I think they've forgotten all about it.

I'd be worried about a management team that makes you feel like shit for daring to ask a perfectly sensible question.

It was a question. Why not respond positively and courteously?

My own theory is that anything ‘off’ in the school recruitment process is a forerunner of what that HT will be like to work for. A couple of times I withdrew from application processes due to bad signs during the tour or interview walk-around. Like the HT who said that she wasn’t planning to give me PPA as she didn’t think the post (SEND support teacher) would need it!