The holidays spanning December and January is often a time of relaxation and family gatherings. However, for school leaders, it can be a challenging phase, especially if a staff member resigns unexpectedly. Here are five strategies to effectively manage such situations:
- Immediate Communication – Reach out to the departing staff member immediately. Understand their reasons for leaving and determine if there’s a possibility of reconsideration. This step is crucial for gaining insights and planning ahead.
- Assess the Impact – Evaluate the impact of the resignation on your team and students. Understanding which classes or activities will be most affected helps in prioritising your response.
- Timing – Do you need to replace the employee immediately? Or do you have capacity within the staff to cover the position for three months (say)?
- Activate Your Network – Utilise your professional network to seek temporary or permanent replacements. Social media platforms, professional associations, and educational groups can be valuable resources in this regard.
- Engage with Your Team – Keep the remaining staff informed and involved in the transition process. Their insights and support can be invaluable in maintaining stability and morale during the transition.
- Plan for the Future – Use this as an opportunity to review your staff retention strategies and recruitment processes. This can help in mitigating similar occurrences in the future.
Concluding Actionable Tactic
In situations like these, seeking expert advice can be a game-changer. We recommend contacting Dr. Paul Teys or Andrew Barr in our Slade Education team. They offer specialised guidance and support in educational leadership and staffing solutions. Their expertise can provide practical and tailored strategies to smoothly navigate through the challenges of staff resignations during the holiday season.
Dr Paul Teys is an Associate specialising in Education. He began his career as a Mathematics and Physics teacher in 1984 and has been working in independent schools in Australia ever since. Paul has more than 40 years of experience, including 25 years as a principal in four schools across three states. Paul was a Director on the Board of AHISA, Chair of AHISA NSW, and he is the Chair of the Board of NSW Combined Independent Schools Sports (CIS). Using his expertise, Paul helps schools and principals leverage their strengths by coaching and mentoring principals and executive leadership teams, along with managing the professional learning and development of executive teams and executive leaders. Paul has considerable experience managing executive recruitment. Paul holds a Doctor of Education from the University of Southern Queensland, a Master of Education from Deakin University, a Bachelor of Educational Studies from The University of Queensland and a Bachelor of Applied Science from the University of Southern Queensland.
Dr Paul Teys
Associate
Tel: +61 418 610 402
pteys@sladegroup.com.au
