Want to hand in notice - anyone who works in a school office - advice needed

sue67

Hi everyone,

Have been wanting to leave work for about the last 3 months, but haven't as i've not found a job to go to. I'm now getting to the stage were i think i want to hand in my notice and worry about the consequences after. I work in a school so the summer holidays are coming up in about 4 weeks. If i were to give notice tomorrow would i be entitled to any pay during the 6 weeks. This would give me some breathing space to get something to tide me over until I decide what i want to do workwise. I dont get paid for holidays except the normal 4/5 weeks, but the yearly salary is shared between 12 equal months. Is the school year worked out as Sept-Aug or April to March in payment terms. Sorry I haven't explained this very well. My head is telling me to hang on in there for the next 4 weeks at least but my hearts saying enough is enough. So if there's any school office staff out there your help would be gratefully received.

Thank you x

Savvy_Sue

I think you'd need to read your contract, carefully.

How much leave you'd be entitled to would depend on the following:

a) when the leave year runs to and from: at my work it's from Jan to Dec, so at this stage of the year I'd be entitled to have taken 10 days.

b) how much paid leave you've already taken in the current leave year

c) how much notice you're required to give - this would normally be a month, but I know for teaching staff it's different - don't they all have to resign by half-term?

It would also depend on how long you've been working in this school, if it's less than a year.

sue67

Thanks for getting back Savvy Sue. I am a Teaching assistant so i think its 1 months notice. I have never signed a contract though, so have nothing to read through. I dont want to ask for my contract as they will then wonder why i ve asked for it now. I started full time (26hrs) in July last year, but before that I was doing about 12hrs. I have now decided to wait until I get another job, as it is too late to hand in notice before the summer hols. Will have time in hols to search for a job properly. In all my years of working i have never loved and disliked a job at the same time. Very fed up of that feeling of dread before going in. Thanks again x

Savvy_Sue

OK, so you're working in a school - but are you not paid and employed by the local authority? In which case, you could phone HR at the council and ask for a copy of standard T&C for teaching assistants. They may refer you to the school for specifics, but there must be a standard way of calculating leave entitlement etc.

the other place to go for advice is ACAS: if you don't have a contract, then there are certain assumptions made, which are usually in your favour! Also if you're a member of a union they could be quite helpful.

And does it matter if they wonder why you're asking for your contract? You could say something like "I don't recall ever having had a contract, did I sign one? If so could I have a copy please?" You are entitled to have one, although NOT having one can as I said before be more useful than having one!

Fizog

You need to contact HR at your local council if you work in a state school. They will be able to tell you. I am a Technician and I have to give one month notice. Paid in arrears, so give your one month notice in the holidays, stuff em if you hate the job so much. Of course the Head is saying wait, think of the inconvenience ....we're paid peanuts but do far more than other workers would do say in a bank or normal office. Your other course is UNISON who will advise you even if you are not a member. We only get paid for 38/39 weeks a year instead of full 52 weeks I've lost count of the times I get stopped to just do a bit of photocopying on my time or lost lunch hours....sorry your post had a baaaaaaaaaad day. I hate year 9s.

LittleVoice

Just because you have not signed a "contract" doesn't mean you haven't received the written statement of particulars of employment which will include things like the amount of notice required.

I've done some work for a school where the written particulars arrived after my first payslip but I did receive them.

sue67

Thanks for advice Savvy Sue and Fizog. I will get in touch with council. Sorry to hear you ve had a bad day. Sounds like all schools expect endless overtime for free!!! I was hoping things might be different in other schools. Looks like a total change of job is the way to go. Cheers Sue x

sue67

Hi Littlevoice, all I have is my job description. There's nothing on it that states notice. Cheers Sue

Mrs_Supersaver_1

I am also a T/A to Sen students', secondary school. Our salary is divided by 12, and therefore we get paid during the long summer hols, but have already effectively earned that money!

I have phoned HR @ Lea on numerous occasions with queries etc, you do not have to give your name or even school:)

I would say 4 weeks notice is standard required, and at our school they always appreciate knowing before the hols as they need to advertise,short list/interview etc.

If I were you, ask your line manager for a 1 on 1 private chat anytime NOW, just explain how you feel, but do it.

The newspapers are always advertising this time of year for schools, and with support staff the turnover is always changable (probably as pay is awful) I know this as fact for our area of Uk as I am a school governor too.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do, But let them know soon especially if your hours are attached to support certain children (statemented)