I hate to post this considering so many people are looking for jobs but... I signed an Offer of Employment Letter about 2 months ago in a new district. I was Board approved about a month ago. I go to sign my contract next week. I am doing ESY at my current district where I work as a TA. A position as a teacher with my current district has been offered to me. Is an Offer of Employment legally binding and whom do I contact if I change my mind. Do I just contact HR? This is in NJ if it makes a difference.
In NJ you need to give the district 60 days notice and they will hold you to that. You may be stuck working the beginning of the school year if you resign now...
It will be sixty days from when you tell them you intend to "resign". If this is your desire, sooner is better than later, but I agree with the above. They can, and will, hold you to that time frame unless they can find a new hire. But even then, do the math, how long it took for them to vet you, approve you, before the contract was ready. Seems pretty close to the sixty days, so I would plan to start with the other school. That brings up the issue of whether or not your current school will be OK waiting for you, a hard question you need answered before going forward, or you could end up with no job. Some schools will accept this without a whimper, others, well, not as accepting.
June 30th would be the last day to resign without penalty (as the school year starts sept. 1st). I've never signed an offer of employment as I've only received a contract after the verbal offer (and email confirmation of board approval with official offer by HR), but I'm assuming the letter is binding if you signed it and have been board approved. Sorry I know this is not what you want to hear! I will say that I've heard of teachers resigning towards the end of summer and being held to the 60 days, but the other district being accepting of it. Perhaps if you discussed this with your district they may be understanding and wait (al districts know about this 50 day clause), but just know you may be burning some bridges and may have a very awkward start to the school year...
I will do that tomorrow. I was just confused on if it was binding considering I haven't even been fingerprinted or anything yet. I didn't sign anything for a background check either. All I knew was I was board approved. Thanks for the replys everyone.
Just an update... I emailed my contact person in HR just to find out who I need to call/email on Friday. I got a response today that basically said they will let the appropriate parties know and good luck. I understand that I totally burnt that bridge which is fine for me. I wasn't too thrilled with the district but took it because it was a teaching position rather than a TA. I am happy with my decision because I love the school I currently work at, just needed a position to open up ( small private special education school with only 9 lead teachers so a position is hard to come by). Thanks guys for all your input.
I am at an all SPED private school, and it is different, and there are things to get used to, but I like the people I work with. Best of luck in your greatly improved status!
I was a TA with the private SPED school. Obtained a full time job with a public school. A full time job opened up at the SPED school so I had to get out of my contract with the public school. It all worked out and I am super excited. HR never said anything other than they will tell who they need to and good luck. The position I had at the public school (but backed out of) has now been reposted.
No luck getting your screen name changed, I see. Hopefully that can be fixed at some point. So happy about the job!
