Self-sponsored MSc - employer wants to benefit

brownbabygirl

I have been in my current job since December 2007. Since 2001 (3 years into my 4 year degree) I have had my eye on a particular MSc course. The course is basically long distance but will require me to travel to the uni for 2 days every 8 weeks during term time. The course is relevant to my work. Good news, I have just enrolled. I have not been there long and was not expecting sponsorship at all but my manager encouraged me to at least allow her to speak to her boss about it (CEO). Now, she is telling me it is looking like there will be no sponsorship but I can take 1 of the 2 days I am required to go to the uni as paid leave. I don't mind this at all except that she has also mentioned I should come back with the course modules and adapt them to teach/train our colleagues in the India office. :mad:Is this taking the pee? Course is costing me £2370 per year plus £1000 hotel and food bills each year. Why should they benefit when I am paying my way?? As I said it is not about the money at all but the principle of it....

Am I right to be upset about this?

tomstickland

So is it a Friday and Saturday every 8 weeks?

brownbabygirl

No, mostly Mondays and Tuesdays. So only 1 of those days will count as a holiday, which is cool.

EDIT: course is part time over THREE years.

tomstickland

Well, an employer will always gain if you do something that will improve your knowledge etc.
However, I think they are being a bit stingy. Why can't you have both days as paid leave?

brownbabygirl

tomstickland wrote: »

Well, an employer will always gain if you do something that will improve your knowledge etc.
However, I think they are being a bit stingey. Why can't you have both days as paid leave?

Thanks for replying. As to the bolded: it goes back to the 'stingy' part!lol. but on serious note, maybe it is because I only have 8 months service? Or they think nothing will stop me from leaving once I have my MSc after they fully sponsor it?
Mind you, I love my job so much that I will still be checking emails and doing as much as I can when I am away from the office.

bitsandpieces

Congrats on the MSc course. One slight caution to keep in mind, though: you say that your employer asks that you "should come back with the course modules and adapt them to teach/train our colleagues in the India office". Depending what is meant by 'adapt', your university may be unhappy about this: the modules will be copyrighted material (v likely copyrighted to the university) and if you're using only slightly modified versions of the material to train other people, they will not be pleased.

Of course, they may never find out - and you may be planning to teach something that differs substantially from what you learn on the MSc. However, I'd suggest that you're careful not to breach university and copyright regulations.

dmg24

How is it costing you £2000 each year for hotels?!!

Oldernotwiser

When you say "paid leave" do you mean that you have to take this out of your annual leave allocation or that they're giving you an extra day paid each time you attend?

brownbabygirl

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

When you say "paid leave" do you mean that you have to take this out of your annual leave allocation or that they're giving you an extra day paid each time you attend?

yes that one. i will be away for 2 days but only one will come out of my holiday.

brownbabygirl

dmg24 wrote: »

How is it costing you £2000 each year for hotels?!!

Courses are run from hotels. they negotiate packages on our behalf which includes bed, breakfast, lunch and dinner, costing around £250 per 2 days. This term I will need to go 4 x 2 days which equates £1000. oh i just realised. it is £1000. lol thanks! have edited my OP

Voyager2002

I think you should use the copyright issue as a reason to decline to adapt the course for your colleagues. Yes, of course your employer will benefit from the development of your skills and knowledge, and yes, in due course they might reasonably ask you to develop training materials, but probably you should complete the course before you begin passing on your knowledge. Apart from anything else, you would not be able to replicate the classes that you attend every eight weeks.