Breaking contract?

Dahix

Ok so in june I signed a 22 hour RPT contract with the school I have been in the past year.

I recently (today) got offered a better job- not because of the hours as this 'new' job only is 16 hr RPT- but because of the location (ie near where I want to live)

I am worried now though if I can ring school A and say I am not takin the job in september as I would be breaking the contract, could I be sued? I do feel bad, but I feel I have to put my own life/career first.

Any advice/knowledge gratefully accepted?

mrboswell

I'd say stick where you are because you are a step closer to a CID.

I know in the long term it would be better to work near where you live or want to live but times like these I'd be working towards a CID.

rainbowtrout

No they won't sue you, they'll just re-advertise the job.

I hear what you're saying mrboswell, the ever elusive CID would be good for the OP, but if it's in a part of the country they are not going to live in long term it doesn't really matter. I have a friend in a permanent job in Dublin who will give it up if there is RPT in the west of Ireland. She doesn't want to spend her life in Dublin, so the contract in that sense is meaningless.

Dahix

Thanks! Its a toughie, the school with the 22 hr RPT job is not where I want to settle, its in the midlands. My boyfriend/friends/family are all in Dublin and this 16 hr RPT job is there.

If I agree to the 16 RPT hours, would I get paid 16/22th of a full salary for the whole year ie. holidays and all too?

doc_17

Dahix wrote: »

Thanks! Its a toughie, the school with the 22 hr RPT job is not where I want to settle, its in the midlands. My boyfriend/friends/family are all in Dublin and this 16 hr RPT job is there.

If I agree to the 16 RPT hours, would I get paid 16/22th of a full salary for the whole year ie. holidays and all too?

Yes. But you'd probably pick up the odd of subbing as well and you'd get paid extra for that.

RealJohn

Generally you have to give a month's notice to break your contract so give them your notice immediately if that's what you're doing because they might tell you that you have to work your notice (especially if they don't find someone to replace you, though I doubt they'll have a problem filling a 22 hour post in the current climate). Your contract should state how you're allowed to break it. If they find someone to replace you they'll probably just let you off.

You should talk to the principal too just so you know what his/her position is and then contact your new principal once you know so that he can also make arrangements if you have to work your notice in the old school. Either way, the rest of the summer will count as part of that notice so you shouldn't have to do more than two weeks in your old school if you hand in your notice immediately.

Dahix

I took the 16 hour RPT post and am very happy with my decision.

The principal in my old school was very understanding and I know he will have no problem finding a replacement teacher as there is so much demand for jobs, especially a 22 hour post.

Thanks for the advice though, I felt I had to start building up years in a school and area I could realistically see myself staying in ...and build towards that CID.