Can I hand my notice in during school summer holidays?

[callmesophia]

Just that really.

I work in a secondary school as a cover supervisor, so classed as support staff. My notice period is 4 weeks I do believe. I've worked there for many years and generally enjoy it there (even if two of my eldest children now attend the school!).

I've since had baby number 4 and have decided I no longer wish to return to work.

My maternity leave runs out 10th July (additional maternity leave) with a return to work date set at 11th July, which is the first day of our summer holidays in this area. Work are fine with this arrangement.

Can I legally hand my notice in 4 weeks before we are due back to school for the autumn term? So during the summer hols. I want to be paid as normal over the summer. I don't even know how I'd hand it in... I assume someone will be in the office 🤷🏼‍♀️

Thanks :)

I actually am not sure! I have always done similar but over a shorter holiday, eg handed my notice in a month before last day of school holidays.

Re being paid over the holidays, you may need to check you are entitled to it, as I have heard of people having to pay it back? Hopefully someone more knowledgeable will he along soon.

I see what you mean yeah. I'm not on a term time only contract or anything though so I just assume I can be paid as normal. Suppose I could hand in my notice on the last day of term. Summer hols is only 6 weeks so that'd only leave 2 weeks potential pay. It's obvs no biggie, just wanted a decent ish pay check to start me off in my new stay-at-home mum adventure 😆😭

4 weeks is the minimum notice, you can give more. You could give it now stating that the last day you are available for work is August 31st/1st Sept (whatever the last day before the new term starts is).

I didn't even think of that. So they can't 'let me go' before that... if I choose to give longer notice?

Not in this circumstance, you were already not 'going back' until the summer term had ended so there is no detrimental impact.

In fact you'd be doing them a favour by giving them more notice as they can hire someone to replace you Sept 1st.

Right O. That sounds like a better option then to be honest, as I wouldn't want to put my line manager or colleagues in any more stress! It's a bloody tough school as it is.

Will you need to pay some of your maternity pay back?

No, I opted not to have the extra pay as I wasn't sure what I was going to do after ML. If I'd chosen to go back I would receive a lump sum after 3 months.

I don't think the holidays count towards your notice period. When I was a TA I handed my notice in just before Christmas but worked until the end of July. Might be different at an academy or private school.

Could you not go back and leave 4 weeks into the autumn term?

Holidays do count towards your notice period - just email HR and cc your HT in.