Working saying I have to do a further Qualification

[Bopper123]

I'm just after so work advise as I'm stuck.

I started working for a company in 2018 after having my 1st child. There was brief mention of having to do some further qualifications but nothing was ever set in stone as I really didn't have the time or energy. I did 9 months on this role then I got a seconded role which was different to my original role so no more mention of the further qualifications. I went on mat leave to have my 2nd and I've been back for a few months in my substantive post.
I've just had a conversation with my boss who's told me I have to apply to do the further qualification by the 24th of September. In total this distance learning will take FIVE YEARS.

I'm absolutely gutted. I have two young children and work part time. I cant commit to this time and now totally lost as to where I stand?
Can work make me do this?

Can they let me go or will I have to leave?

I've had a look at my original application and it says in essential criteria "willing to work towards X qualification" my contract has nothing in about it.

I spoke to ACAS who said as its on the application I need to speak to HR at my company but there isnt one as company too small.

Thanks

MCIPS is tough and time-taking. I think some PPs who are saying it's a great opportunity don't have much experience of this particular qualification.

Yes, it is a good opportunity, but if it doesn't work for your family, it won't be an opportunity that's right for you.

I've got no idea about whether you could/ should ask your employer if you can avoid it, but this would be a very, very serious commitment, and not one to walk into just because of a general sense that 'training is good'.

I would also be asking if you will be required to sign saying you will repay all or part of the fees if you leave the company. I've had to do this and it's on a sliding scale, after 2 years post qualification if I left I wouldn't have to repay.

If they do that it means you're tied to that company for a long time. Mine is repayable for any reason if I leave, even medical reasons, although not if they make me redundant.

Thank you all for your replies/comments.

While I fully appreciate the opportunity its the fact that I have been given so little time to consider the ramifications of signing up (need to let them know next week...)

I think my judgement has been clouded by the fact my DH did a master while working and it almost broke him :( (to be fair it was in nuclear science and technology so pretty tough going!) And this is way before we had our kids.

I spoke to my boss about my concerns and was told that as his wife had done a masters after she had had their child then my excuse was redundant. Also as I only worked part time I had more time so study. I did remind him that I was looking after the baby on my non work days not sitting watching TV... I just felt stupid and lazy tbh after that conversation :(

Yes I would have to be fincially liable for the course if I failed modules/left before I had finished.

Can you talk to the course provider about your options? Whether the workload can be spread out more for example? Whether you can sign up and defer for a little even?

I think the answer is simple. If you don't want to do it and your priority for your free time is your children say no then start looking for another job.

Obviously other people have managed to study and work....so what. Your life, your choice.

You have said it's not in your contract and no one expected you to do it before you had kids but now it's suddenly compulsory?? When you lay out those facts sounds like they're trying to manage you out of the company.

Just because it's a great opportunity doesn't mean you have to take it if it's not for you. People priorities change when they have children. Make a choice based on what's right for you.

My kids are 7,12 and 14 and I work part time. They're all in school but I still wouldn't be studying and working because I don't want to!

Hi there, you will be doing it during your working hours, not in your own unpaid time. Not a problem.

Can you do it next year? I think your boss was a dick for using the old 'well my wife did it'. He doesn't mention what support she had around her to do that.

I can understand your concerns while you have such a small child. If you can wait to do it until your baby get some funded hours of childcare you could use preschool on your non working days to give you the space and time to do it.

You'd still be willing to work towards it but just waiting until your home situation is more supporting of it

@Bopper123

Thank you all for your replies/comments.

While I fully appreciate the opportunity its the fact that I have been given so little time to consider the ramifications of signing up (need to let them know next week...)

I think my judgement has been clouded by the fact my DH did a master while working and it almost broke him :( (to be fair it was in nuclear science and technology so pretty tough going!) And this is way before we had our kids.

I spoke to my boss about my concerns and was told that as his wife had done a masters after she had had their child then my excuse was redundant. Also as I only worked part time I had more time so study. I did remind him that I was looking after the baby on my non work days not sitting watching TV... I just felt stupid and lazy tbh after that conversation :(

Yes I would have to be fincially liable for the course if I failed modules/left before I had finished.

You need to have a paper trail for conversations like this with your boss, to protect yourself. You are being walked over and you have no written proof. Email your boss and ask him to confirm in writing that you are expected to study for the qualification in your days out of work (unpaid) and then you need to ring ACAS.

Just because it said in the job advert that you should be willing to work towards x qualification doesn’t mean that they meant in YOUR own unpaid time.

So I’d suggest that’s the first thing you want to find out so you can check with acas again.

You ARE willing to work towards it. In THEIR paid time. Not in your own time. And the fact some random woman that happens to be the bosses wife did it in her free time is nothing to do with your situation, even though your idiot boss thinks it is. She may have had a nanny, daily cleaner and gardener for all we know.

As pp said, ask all the questions in writing and get replies in writing. Then post back and contact acas for further advice.

Thanks again for your replies/advise I will do as suggested above.

I did say I was willing to do it but I just couldn't support it right now. However as I cant really give a definitive set time line (as I don't have a crystal ball!) It wasn't the answer he was after unfortunately!