harryf80
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« on: January 15, 2011, 12:57:33 PM » |
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I am a tenure-track assistant professor on my sabbatical leave this semester. I recently applied for a position in another institution which is closer to where my partner has a job right now (the location is the only reason I applied, I wasn’t planning to be on the job market). Fortunately, I received an offer from them. This is good news since my partner and I have been doing a long distance relationship for several years. There are no job opportunities for my partner near or at my university, so the only way we can move together seems to be if I accept this job offer.
However, now that I am considering this offer, I don't know whether leaving my university after I am granted sabbatical will be viewed by my university as either unethical or a violation of my contract with them.
From my perspective, I don't see it as unethical as I only applied for this one position to be closer to my partner and I don't see anything wrong with trying to move in with family! I also don't see it as a violation of my contract since I have earned my sabbatical based on my previous service to the university (and I have not seen anything in our faculty handbook that says that a faculty member is obligated to do tasks X Y Z after completing their sabbatical). I will of course be happy to put my current university’s name on anything I publish based on the research I have conducted during my sabbatical.
So….when is the best time for me to tell my current university that I am considering an offer from another institution? And what would be a good way for me to communicate this to my department members without leaving a bitter taste in their mouth? I like my current department so much and I get the sense that they will understand this, but I know that sometimes even the most rational faculty members do not react well to this sort of thing. So, if you have any advice, I would really appreciate it.
By the way, I have not signed a new contract at my current university; my existing contract runs out in June. Thank you for any feedback you may have.
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glowdart
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« Reply #1 on: January 15, 2011, 01:08:45 PM » |
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You've said that you've checked your faculty handbook, but I would also check your contract for language about returning to the school for the same number of months or a full academic year after a sabbatical.
Many places with those policies will require (or attempt to require) you to pay back your sabbatical salary if you leave after your sabbatical; in your case, the worst case scenario is that you'll likely just not get paid since the sabbatical is this semester if you resign now. Apparently, some people have been able to get the new job to buy out the old job for that semester, but I've only read about that on these boards.
I would get onto your partner's health insurance immediately. Better to pay a month or two of double premiums than be without.
Congrats on the job & the ability to actually live as a family in the same place!
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concordancia
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« Reply #2 on: January 15, 2011, 01:09:37 PM » |
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Many sabbatical contracts include that you must return to the university or repay the salary.
Also, if this turns out to be the case would New U allow you to delay your start date? Perhaps you could get the two schools to compromise - teach at Old U in the Fall and New U starting next Spring.
It may not be applicable at your level, but I have also heard of New U paying off Old U so that the new hire didn't have to give up a semester's/year's salary.
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I like money. I like to buy stuff and experiences with money.
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harryf80
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« Reply #3 on: January 15, 2011, 01:21:32 PM » |
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Thank you for the insights. My sabbatical contract (it's actually a letter but I assume that's the contract) doesn't say anything about whether I have to return to the university or repay the salary). So, maybe there is no such expectation?
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concordancia
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« Reply #4 on: January 15, 2011, 01:25:17 PM » |
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I missed part of the OP - TAKE NO ACTION AT Current U UNTIL YOU HAVE A CONTRACT AT NEW U!!
After that, follow the chain of command - talk to the chair first, but perhaps let them know there are a few people you would like to tell before the general announcement is made and agree to a time frame.
The sooner the better - it allows them to plan ahead.
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I like money. I like to buy stuff and experiences with money.
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harryf80
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Posts: 6
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« Reply #5 on: January 15, 2011, 01:40:42 PM » |
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I just re-read my sabbatical contract carefully. Now, it seems to me that it is implied in my sabbatical letter that I will be expected to return to the university for one semester after sabbatical (which makes sense). I am glad you pointed this out as I didn't notice this when I read it first.
Given this scenario, is it better for me to resign from my current position now (once I have a contract from the new university)? In that case, could I be asked to return pay for the one month or so that I spent in sabbatical? Could I be also asked to return the dollar amount of the benefits I have received during my sabbatical?
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octoprof
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« Reply #6 on: January 15, 2011, 02:21:02 PM » |
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Harry,
This is probably negotiable. Most universities don't sue their employers or former employees over such things. If you go to the provost and have a chat about it, you may be fortunately enough to come to a happy conclusion (or you may not).
I was in a similar position once when offered my dream job right after finishing and all research semester that was paid for by a university award that required you to work for a year after having received such an award. I went to the union and talked to them about it (as it was a horrible place to work and my boss was driving me nuts) and then went to the provost who was happy to let me go rather than dealing with a formal complaint over my boss.
Your mileage may vary, of course.
I do suggest you take care of this sooner rather than later! But not before you have an ironclad contract at the new U.
o.
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Let us consider that we are all partially insane. It will explain us to each other; it will unriddle many riddles; it will make clear and simple many things... Mark Twain
It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities. Professor Dumbledore
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shrek
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« Reply #7 on: January 15, 2011, 04:05:52 PM » |
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Can't you ask to put off your start date to fullfill the conditions of the sabbatical?
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harryf80
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« Reply #8 on: January 15, 2011, 10:17:03 PM » |
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Shrek, that's a good point. Does anybody have any experience where the institution that made the job offer was willing to put off the start date by a semester?
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totoro
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« Reply #9 on: January 15, 2011, 10:48:13 PM » |
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Shrek, that's a good point. Does anybody have any experience where the institution that made the job offer was willing to put off the start date by a semester?
That's very common. |
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harryf80
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« Reply #10 on: January 16, 2011, 11:54:33 PM » |
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Are liberal arts colleges likely to postpone the start date, especially given their teaching needs? I can see why research universities can postpone the start date, but I am not so sure about liberal arts colleges.
If anyone has any experiences where the start date was postponed at a teaching oriented institution, please share. Thank you!
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totoro
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« Reply #11 on: January 17, 2011, 01:58:03 AM » |
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I don't know anything about SLACs but I would think they would prefer not to have to do another search. The question is how much difference there is between you and the next ranked candidate, assuming they are still available.
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harryf80
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« Reply #12 on: January 17, 2011, 01:50:11 PM » |
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Thank you for that insight. Is it possible that my current employer can FORCE me to stay legally for a semester or even for a year (although my sabbatical is only for a semester)? Suppose in the worst case scenario, I choose to resign and repay the semester's salary that is.
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wolf29
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Either Accept Errors or Choose to Do Nothing
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« Reply #13 on: January 31, 2011, 05:51:23 PM » |
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If you are in an "At will" state, they probably cannot force you to work out a contract. You may wish to consult a lawyer who handles such matters on this issue. Better early with good counsel, than late with a serviceable set of assumptions.
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Are you using open document formats?
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prytania3
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« Reply #14 on: February 01, 2011, 09:17:04 AM » |
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As Octo said, most unis will not sue their former employees. It's not a guarantee, but it's the trend.
Historically, the idea of coming back after sabbatical was a protection for the faculty member. In other words, people worried about going on sabbatical and getting dumped during that time.
I would speak to the appropriate folks and let them know I was on my way.
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Clowns, I tell you. Clowns.
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