Teaching - verbal offer but told not to resign!!

[Helpmegetajob]

Offered job same day as interview and I was asked to chase up referees. This was done and they received them. The next day I received an email saying not to hand in my notice as there is something they need to follow up on from references and will get back to me next week!!

im so worried, this was a dream teaching job. I have been off work 11 weeks on and off in the past year due to various health problems and struggle with stress at my current job and needed this to get away. Can they retract the offer, is there anything I can do or say when the head calls to discuss next week?

I imagine it's the health issues and absence which have come back on the reference. Schools can't afford staff to be off for long periods. Sometimes it's unavoidable but it's not something a school will go into with open arms. If you are sure that it won't continue, you could get in touch and explain why you think this going to change and they need not worry. Were you honest about why you were leaving your position?

So you've been off for quater of the academic year... no one will touch you until you've bettered your sickness record.

It was 3 episodes Covid and serious gall stone attacks needing surgery. Prior to that, 10years virtually no absences. Just a very bad year health wise. Do you think explaining things would help? Maybe send an email over the weekend or just wait for the inevitable on Monday.

On references from Headteachers they have to include how many sick days in last calender year. If you don't get job because of absence record. Hopefully you can have a good attendance year this year and try again next year.

I would definitely email in and say you assume it's due to your poor sickness in the last year, and this was because of covid x 3 + gallstone surgery . I'd also mention that you have had minimal sickness /no sickness in the previous x years if this is true.

It’s standard practice - they will be checking your sickness absence. I had this recently with a new member of staff who came with a high level of sick leave, but once I’d clarified the categories of absences I was satisfied they weren’t likely to repeat it and that they’d just had a very bad year.

@Helpmegetajob what was the outcome op. Fingers crossed a good one.