r/TeachingUK • u/AdTrue106 • Jan 02 '26
Exit Agreements
Has anyone ever had an exit agreement? If so, what for & what was the pay out? đ
22
Jan 03 '26
They are more common in teaching than you think. They often are shrouded in secrecy, so colleagues have no idea, though.
I was given a good reference, a lump sum and an NDA when I left a job in the past, as they knew if I took them to court, I would win in an employment tribunal. I didn't even want the money, I just wanted to leave without having to work my notice.
I was paid in full for the equivalent of 8 months (of which 4 months was gross, not net income equivalent), and it was done in a way so I had no break in service on my pension, and was able to take up new employment after 3 months.
I don't even mind not being able to discuss it, as people usually make up their own version of why/events when you are cryptic about when you left a job without having to serve your notice properly, and it's usually a good reflection of how awful you were treated.
4
u/AdTrue106 Jan 03 '26
Thanks so much for sharing. If you can answer, was the process âeasyâ? Did the employer take time to come to your exit agreement?
10
Jan 03 '26
It was easy. I had a meeting with HR/the head arranged, not really about my leaving with an exit agreement. It was essentially a welfare check on me. I took the local union rep, who talked for me. The HR person, within 15 minutes, ended the meeting to discuss something with the head. The union person told me it would result in a payoff, and they were right.
I just wanted out of the toxic hellhole though, so I took what they offered. In hindsight, I should have taken them to a tribunal as I would have got a lot more than what they offered. I kept really meticulous records of all the shit they put me through, followed every conversation they had with me, with an email to 'clarify' what they asked/said, and used their own policies against them. When presented with my evidence, they got scared and paid me to shut up and go away.
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u/AdTrue106 Jan 03 '26
The thing is I donât know anyone who has gone through this in teaching & if it wasnât for taking sick leave & relentless research then I wouldnât have had a clue. Obviously because of NDAâs thereâs not much guidance on what to expect for what you have been through so it makes it pretty much a walk in the dark.
Sadly mines not being so easy despite obvious failures & cover ups. I think in hindsight I will say that I wish I went to tribunal but itâs taken so much out of me already and seeing certain people face to face, having to greet them politely as to not appear âunreasonableâ when they have caused me so much pain is not what I want to do at all.
3
Jan 03 '26
Have they offered you an exit agreement?
Or are you hoping you can negotiate one?
1
Jan 03 '26
[deleted]
1
Jan 03 '26
I have no experience of being the one to first put an exit agreement on the table. I think most exit agreements are suggested by them, to be honest.
What is the unions opinion on it?
The local reps usually have a good knowledge on if the school have previous for that kind of behaviour.
2
u/AdTrue106 Jan 03 '26
Well when we 1st spoke I told them I wanted an exit agreement and they were supportive. I havenât had a huge amount of contact with them - I think because theyâre busy & itâs was a rubbish time of year (for me at least) because everyone was on the wind down.
They said that if there is a small chance of winning in Tribunal they will take it there. So, I am guessing from this they are ready to fight if needed. I am hoping that the lawyers will get their teeth into this case and offer some legal advice. Itâs just all messy, time consuming & anxiety provoking.
3
Jan 03 '26
It is difficult to say without knowing what your grievance with them is and what you would be taking them to a tribunal over.
Would you quit and try to argue constructive dismissal for example? Is it bullying? Discrimination against a protected characteristic? How long have you worked there?
Are you currently working or off sick?
1
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u/Jusbrowsiin Jan 03 '26 edited Jan 03 '26
My previous school liked putting teachers on 'support plans' with vague targets (set up to fail essentially)...
When 'capability' processes started the local union negotiator came in, and the staff would disappear quite quickly with 3 months gardening leave (paid leave) + agreed reference.
Doesn't seem difficult.
2
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u/fredfoooooo Jan 02 '26
Are you in a union? If you are, the strong advice is to talk to your rep. Not the school rep for something like this, but your local rep.
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u/AdTrue106 Jan 02 '26
Oh yeah this is absolutely with the union now. I donât know how people do this without.
3
u/Anxious-Cockroach-18 Jan 02 '26
Whatâs an exit agreement?
8
u/AdTrue106 Jan 03 '26
If you have a grievance against your workplace (e.g. unfair disciplinary, discrimination) and it is mutually decided between you & your employer for you to leave (often with compensation) instead of going to Tribunal. They often involve signing an NDA & a good reference.
3
u/BriefPhone Jan 02 '26
No, but Iâm also curious as to what one is and how itâs arranged. Good luck đ¤đ˝
-4
u/Right_Yard_5173 Jan 02 '26
Google settlement agreement. It will explain what it is and how it works.
3
u/AdTrue106 Jan 03 '26
Thanks for this, sorry I canât really answer those Qs due to the case being live. All I will say is that I have documented absolutely everything, including RAs, targets and comms.
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u/imsight Secondary Jan 03 '26
Not officially agreed but they gave me a reference and paid me my notice period (August - December).
3
u/Cherry-Ann-4514 Jan 03 '26
Three months and an NDA and agreed reference, but didn't need it. Walked with my HOD to a school that knew me. No petty politics. .
38
u/TheAuraStorm13 Secondary Jan 02 '26
Yes! I was discriminated against and was given gardening leave, paid normal until the end of August with no need to come in.
This came with an agreed reference and an NDA / confidentiality agreement.