Going to Uni in Sept, when should I say?

west12_2

I work at the moment for an international charity. I've been there for 3.5 years, have a very good relationship with my employer and line manager, and am on a permenant contract with one months notice period.

I have been (secretly incase it failed!) applying to go to University in September and I have just been offered a place.

I want to be honest with my employer and give notice now but continue working until August as I will need the money!!! I just wanted to ask advice before I tell them- if they know I want to leave months before I go, they can't dismiss me or make me redundant before August, can they?

DCFC79

Why not tell them in july as that way you give them 1 months notice and you can work untill then,

jdturk

they couldn't sack you but they could make you redundant if the company decided your role wasn't required anymore.

I wouldn't tell them until you have to (ie your notice period!)

Anihilator

I actually disagree here.

I would bring it up fairly soon and basically explain that you will be going to Uni but intend to stay until a specific date and during that period state you will do anything to facilitate any transition necessary

They are likely to enjoy having a long time to get a suitable replacement.

jdturk

Anihilator wrote: »

I actually disagree here.

I would bring it up fairly soon and basically explain that you will be going to Uni but intend to stay until a specific date and during that period state you will do anything to facilitate any transition necessary

They are likely to enjoy having a long time to get a suitable replacement.

Whilst that is one side, the other is if you tell them it could lead to unwanted tension between you and your employers.

As the say goes

'What they don't know won't hurt them!'

Anihilator

Its a very hard secret to keep. What about when the OP needs to go to look for flats etc, or attend open days, or organise other things or they ask her to committ to projects etc.

This is also not even considering they find out from someone else.

There is no benefit to them to get rid of her now. Far better to train someone in post therefore as long as the OP doesnt create tension it should be fine.

jdturk

Anihilator wrote: »

Its a very hard secret to keep. What about when the OP needs to go to look for flats etc, or attend open days, or organise other things or they ask her to committ to projects etc.

This is also not even considering they find out from someone else.

There is no benefit to them to get rid of her now. Far better to train someone in post therefore as long as the OP doesnt create tension it should be fine.

In an ideal world Anihilator you'd be right but this isn't an ideal world

DCFC79

Anihilator wrote: »

Its a very hard secret to keep. What about when the OP needs to go to look for flats etc, or attend open days, or organise other things or they ask her to committ to projects etc.

This is also not even considering they find out from someone else.

There is no benefit to them to get rid of her now. Far better to train someone in post therefore as long as the OP doesnt create tension it should be fine.

and im sure the OP would use holidays for that if they had any or use 1 of they're days off to go and look for flats

Owain_Moneysaver

I wouldn't tell them now. After all, you might change your mind, or circumstances might change it for you. But if they're a good employer it would be courteous to tell them, maybe mid-summer, before handing in your formal notice.

ithinkyourcrazy

I knew I was going to be going to Uni last Sept this time last year.

I told my work informally last March and gave them the notice a month before hand. I now only work there weekends and holidays so it works out well for me.

Savvy_Sue

I wouldn't tell them now, unless there's talk of long term plans for you and your role, eg if they're thinking of sending you on some expensive training or similar. However giving more than one month's notice would be friendly, and actually I think that they could say "sorry but we don't want you to stay until August, here's a month's notice".

There are some employers who would escort you from the building as soon as you gave notice, and while they do have to pay for your notice period, I don't think they'd be obliged to pay you for any more than your contractual or statutory notice period. But you'd probably know if the charity you work for operates like that!

I'd say 3 months' notice gives them time to recruit someone to start as you leave, although recruiting through the summer can be tricky so they may decide to leave it until the autumn.