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Original poster

What's the record on here for shortest time back before handing in notice? Think I may win

16 replies

reastie · 26/01/2012 21:53

Blush Confused

Been back nearly 3 weeks. I can't take it any more, it's all too much and I'm so tired when I'm at home I can't enjoy DD I just cry with exhaustion Blush . I'm behind on my paperwork and only getting through work on adrenaline rushes. Seriously close to handing in notice. Please tell me I'm not the only one to give up so soon.....

OP posts:
ApuskiMcClusky · 26/01/2012 22:24

Reastie, I saw your other thread about your notice period. Is the main issue lack of sleep? How do you feel more generally about your work and about the childcare arrangements you have in place?

Lack of sleep can make everything feel dreadful. But if you fundamentally quite like your work, it's worth talking to them about struggling and see what can be done.

That's not to say you shouldn't leave if you want to mind.

lollystix · 26/01/2012 23:20

It does take a while to adjust - the first 6 weeks are hard then you get your head round it. Don't be too hasty to jack it in

Original poster
reastie · 27/01/2012 06:55

apuski I think it's everything Blush . I'm a p/t teacher and if I just did the hours I'm in school I would be fine, but all the extra stuff out of school I'm finding too much (and I'm doing bear minimum, believe me). Also, I'm only paid for 1/3 full time wage yet I'm expected to go to all parents evenings/open mornings/run revision sessions in hols etc so I'm doing more than my share IYKWIM. Also half of my lesson lengths have been reduced from 1 1/5 hrs to 1 hour and I do a practical subject and the work just can't be done in that time so every lesson is a stress to get finished and tidied up etc in an hour - it takes all the enjoyment out. I'm starting to feel resentment at having so much to do. I feel like I'm dashing madly to get work work, dashing at work, dashing home and then dashing looking ater dd/cleaning/cooking etc. I'm so exhausted I can't do much with dd on my days off. I know lots of people cope with this sort of ifestyle, but i'm weak it just feels too much if we can cope without me working Hmm

OP posts:
BoattoBolivia · 27/01/2012 07:09

I'm a teacher and I did 3 days before I left again! Mind you, they had seriously messed with my job, we had the union and personnel involved and the LEA offered me a 'deal' as I was so unhappy with what had happened in my absence.
It is really hard to go back to a job where you work more than your actual contracted hours and its so full on while you are there. All I can say is that, the first time I went back after mat leave was very different- different management who had more respect for me. It does get better and I got better at saying 'no,' to peope. You and they have to recognise that you just can't do the 'extra' stuff for a while, but those first few months with the lack of slerp are awful.
There's no harm in looking for something else.

itsonlyyearfour · 27/01/2012 09:45

I have been back well over a year and I am going through a really rough patch. Like you, I was very unhappy when I went back, then things calmed down for a while but it is back to being rubbish. I think the reason is that deep down the role has changed so much it is not the job I want to do anymore. Also, being part-time means I have lost my "status" and I find that hard too.

Like others said, being part-time would be great if it was truly part-time but it's not in my case anyway, I just get lumbered with all the rubbish work nobody else wants and expected to do lots of stuff on my days off. I can't say it does get better, it depends what you do and how it goes. It feels rubbish for me at the moment but at least I am not going through sleepless nights anymore as my DD2 is 2 years old now!!!

tethersend · 27/01/2012 10:04

What date would you need to submit your resignstion by in order to leave at Easter? End of Feb?

If so, use from now until the end of Feb to decide. I don't think you should be hasty, but I think you want to resign. How old is DD?

You could approach the head and ask for a year's sabbatical... They can only say no, in which case you resign anyway.

tethersend · 27/01/2012 10:06

Oh, and you don't have to do every parents' eve etc- check with your union.

ConstantlyFrazzled · 27/01/2012 10:52

So glad I've found this thread as also in a huge dilemma about work. I have 7 weeks of maternity leave left after having my 3rd child. I'm also a p/t teacher and will have been away from school for 10 months when I return. The problem is, since sept the school the school has been targeted to be forced to become an academy, (although I have only just been made aware of this). I know all the staff are under a huge amount of stress with constant inspections and scrutinies and this fills me with dread. I have already submitted my letter to say when I will return, but I'm seriously regretting that and wish I didn't have to. Does anyone know how long I need to go back for so that I don't have to repay maternity pay??

ConstantlyFrazzled · 27/01/2012 11:21

BoattoBolivia - really interested to know what deal the LEA did and what the circumstances were. I feel like my school is not the place I left, and had I known that sooner I think I would have resigned already. I'm not sure what to do next - do you think a chat with my union would be beneficial?

BoattoBolivia · 27/01/2012 18:47

I can't really discuss the deal, as i signed a confidentiality agreement, and I certainly didn't expect one, but i was devastated about what they had to done my beloved job/ role and was in bits at the final meeting with new head, personnel and union. The school was trying to get out if a 'notice to improve' and had ofsted looming and my suspicion is that they thought an unhappy and unwilling member of staff could have had a negative impact. Obviously the head, who had not met me before, didn't know that i am a professional and would never have jepodised my colleagues' careers or the welfare of the children like that. I also think the Lea realised that the head had acted 'immorally' , if not 'illegally'.
I would always recommend talking to the union, they were very supportive. You need to work 13 weeks to keep your maternity I think.

Original poster
reastie · 27/01/2012 18:47

tether to leave at easter I should have resigned by the time I first started Hmm , so realistically I'm looking at handing my notice in at easter to finish for the summer, just have to see if I can stick it out Confused . DD is 11 mo.

constantly I believe (in my case) my school only paid me statutory maternity pay and nothing extra so I don't have to stay for any minimum length of time. Are you with a union? They would know for sure

OP posts:
BranchingOut · 27/01/2012 21:29

Hi reastie, I read your other thread and am so sorry to see that things aren't working out for you.

I think there are two ways you can approach this:

  1. Looking seriously at your home arrangements and childcare in order to somehow give you some slack in your days in order to get done the things that you have to do. How about a nanny share for a part of the week? Your DD would still be getting some 1-1 care and it would give you a bit more time, rather than having to dash back for your mum.

  2. Speak in confidence to a senior member of staff and say that you are finding things difficult, to the extent that you are considering leaving.

At the end of the day, you would be able to leave at Easter. You are still a free person! I know that schools like to pretend that you are not, but over the years I have seen quite a few people go at short notice. It isn't as unusual as people might think.

However, I would say that if you go you do need to be prepared for the fact that it might not be possible to get back in, especially in a pt post. I left after mat leave and am now working outside teaching (after fruitlessly looking for a suitable pt post). However, I absolutely love my new lifestyle!

WidowWadman · 27/01/2012 23:59

After last maternity leave it was one week until I handed my notice- but that was because I had an interview on day 3 of my first week back and got a job offer with 50% more pay and much more interesting work. Took all the holidays I had accumulated, so only had to work for another week and gone I was.

tethersend · 28/01/2012 13:22

Reastie, are you in an academy?

If you are covered by the burgundy book (teacher's pay and conditions), which most non academy teachers are, then you need to tender your resignation by the 28th February in order to leave on the 30th April.

Original poster
reastie · 28/01/2012 13:27

tether I'm at a private school so maybe they can do what they like Hmm . I'm trying really hard to just hold on till the easter break and then hand in my notice

widow you win Grin

OP posts:
tethersend · 28/01/2012 13:43

Ah, right. Yes, they can do whatever they like; that's unfortunate.

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