So yeah my small company was bought out by a bigger company. They want to close some of our schools that are small. There are 10 schools in total. Two will close at the end of December. Those two teachers will be notified next week. **I am wondering if I should give a heads up to the other 8 teachers?** There is nothing definite about closing the other 8 but the two closing at the end of December was a “secret”. This “secret” was brought to my attention as I have a good relationship with a head office staff member. No snark please or sarcasm. These teachers are long term educators that are supporting their families. I would hate to seem them have to scramble to find a new job with only a few months of notification.
6 comments
If you trust the information from your source, absolutely give the others a heads up, let them get out ahead of it.
Don’t put anything in writing (no email/texts that could be used against you).
I’m not an English teacher, but I have acquaintances who are. They work in eikaiwa, part-time in colleges and universities, etc. They are good people, but according to them, the industry seems to be going through a rough time and job stability is questionable. As people across the nation continue to tighten their purse strings, these kinds of situations will only become more common.
To answer your question, you should inform them so they can make adjustments and preparations. Even if the schools don’t officially close, it’s a good wake up call. A new colleague of mine used to be an English teacher. He made preparations during the pandemic to get out of the industry because he thought that his school/company was a sinking ship. His former school and six other branches closed since he left.
A final thought would be for you to take this as a sign to make a plan B and to keep your options open. Your school may not close now, but it’s not out of the realm of possibility that the bigger company will continue downsizing in pursuit of cost savings and bigger profits. Good luck.
Sounds like they’ll find out pretty soon. I wouldn’t.
Unless you’re absolutely okay with this potentially backfiring on you and ruining your relationship with the head office staff member, go ahead.
Do you have a way out right now?
Because if you get outted as being the reason those staff bail early, the company could fire you for having caused operating damages. They can also drag their feet on paperwork that you need for your next employer, which even thought they HAVE to give it to you on schedule, there’s nothing really to stop them being vindictively slow and incompetent about it.
I wouldn’t risk it if there’s any chance it can backfire on you.
Are you just working there or did you own the schools? Sorry, I can’t tell from your post. I think if you are just an employee, then I’d have no problem chatting to other teachers about this. If you were the owner and sold to a bigger company then I don’t think you can say anything but why would they buy 10 schools and then close therm all? That doesn’t make sense to me, so I suspect they will try and keep the other schools open.