Job Discussion Forums

[antoniahk]

Don't know if anyone can help...
I am currently teaching at a DSS school on a one-year renewable contract. I am hoping to get a new job for the next school year, but if the one job I am interested in doesn't come off then I'll stay at my current school. I need to book a summer trip home, and am wondering what to do - last year I spent the first week of the holidays at school doing F1 admissions, then took a month off, then came back for a 2-week bridging course. If I do the same this year but then have already handed in notice which means I would only work one week during the holiday and then leave, will my school be unduly upset? Or is this normal? I like my school a lot, but the travelling is killing me, otherwise I'd stay. I don't want to tell the principal that I'm thinking of leaving until I have a better idea of the likelihood. Should I take a shorter holiday to keep the school happy? This is my first school job so I'm not sure what I'm expected to do.

[kowlooner]

Sorry, but your post is slightly confusing. Please clarify. Not sure what the status is with regards to contracts, re-signing, etc.

In any case, why not think about what the professional thing to do is? Consider the issue from your school's point of view. If you were an employer, you wouldn't want to be left in the lurch with a last-minute defection, would you? Doing the right thing is seldom wrong.

[antoniahk]

Sorry I wasn't clear. Of course I would give my school as much notice as possible, and of course at least the required length of time. I was just wondering - if I were to renew my contract, then I would work a week or so at each end of the holiday. If I don't renew then I obviously won't be coming back at the end of the holiday.
I understand absolutely what the professional thing would be to do, but I was thinking more from a personal level - as I said, I like my school and want to minimize any disappointment.

[kowlooner]

Surprised nobody else is stepping in.

I guess the answer's pretty obvious, though. Keep your plans to yourself for as long as it's ethical and practical to do so, and chase up those other school job leads (assuming you have them). But if you need to make your summer plans and bookings now, then you're just going to have to decide one way or the other and then live with the consequences.

I can't think of any other answer, given the information provided. But it honestly sounds like you're letting your short-term vacation plans be the heart of the matter rather than employment and professional development. Not necessarily a bad thing, but I figure it's helpful for one to at least know where one's priorities may be.

Good luck!

[antoniahk]

Thank you for your advice/comments - I realize it was a vague sort of question, and I appreciate your taking the time to reply.
If by 'short-term vacation plans' you mean my family life and by 'employment and professional development', my job, then yes, I'm afraid so . Again, I wasn't clear - my question wasn't really about my career (I have a job I'm basically happy with, bar the commute, and I'm perfectly happy to renew if the one job I'm interested in doesn't work out) but just a rather sappy, afraid-of-upsetting-people one. I like the people I work with, but being a non-HKer, I understand that there are sometimes differences in expectations. I don't like to disappoint people, that's all. Anyway, I've booked, and unless the volcano scuppers everything, will be taking and enjoying that trip.
Thanks again!

[ozman]

Whilst I'm not suggesting you do anything "unprofessional", you should, at the same time, always put yourself first. Work out what's best for you. The school can always get another teacher when you decide to hand in your notice. Also if the school decided to get rid of you, they aren't going to put your feelings first.
You are only obliged to give 1 month's notice. Look around for another job but keep it to yourself.