How to end a employment contract early?

[StellenboschStudent]

I received a 1 year postdoc (a basic research position where I get paid very little) contract at a university just outside Paris, starting July 2015.
However, I now have the possibility to to get permanent employment at a very good company.

The problem is that the university went through a lot of trouble to get me here (visa and all that) and I don't want to 'burn bridges' with the people here.

Question is, is it ok to ask to be released? And how do I go about this?

 

[Sinbad]

No, it's not ethically correct for you to ask to be released, unless you perhaps offer to reimburse them their outlay for getting you there.

Also, laws of France/Europe will apply, you'll need to look into those.

 

[Chevron]

I received a 1 year postdoc (a basic research position where I get paid very little) contract at a university just outside Paris, starting July 2015.
However, I now have the possibility to to get permanent employment at a very good company.

The problem is that the university went through a lot of trouble to get me here (visa and all that) and I don't want to 'burn bridges' with the people here.

Question is, is it ok to ask to be released? And how do I go about this?

To be honest, you're a little bit of an ass for even considering it.

 

[StellenboschStudent]

No, it's not ethically correct for you to ask to be released, unless you perhaps offer to reimburse them their outlay for getting you there.

Also, laws of France/Europe will apply, you'll need to look into those.

To be honest, you're a little bit of an ass for even considering it.

I agree with both of you, I feel like a bit of an ass just considering it!

The only reason I am thinking about it is because the position is really great, almost a dream job kind of thing, and I am not sure if they will be willing to wait 8-9 months for my contract to end.

 

[Anonymous™]

Chat to the company offering you the role. Explain the situation. I think it will speak volumes of your character when you ask them to wait till July 2016.

Whilst they may not necessarily, they'll forever hold you in high regard maybe even enough to open the door when you knock in future. Leaving the uni just sounds terrible.

 

[werfie]

Well go and chat to the company that took you over. Explain the situation to them, any reasonable person would understand the opportunity. To do the right thing from your side, offer to reimburse them (in installments) for some of the costs or something.

Perhaps they make a counter offer if they see that you have decent character on won't just up and leave. As someone said earlier, just take their labour laws into account, you never know what they say on the subject.

 

[NeonNinja]

What is "very little"?

 

[smkungfu]

Just leave. They don't care to retrench you before your contract ends. Do it for the money!

 

[StellenboschStudent]

Chat to the company offering you the role. Explain the situation. I think it will speak volumes of your character when you ask them to wait till July 2016.

Whilst they may not necessarily, they'll forever hold you in high regard maybe even enough to open the door when you knock in future. Leaving the uni just sounds terrible.

I agree, I will just talk to both parties involved and explain the situation as best I could.

Well go and chat to the company that took you over. Explain the situation to them, any reasonable person would understand the opportunity. To do the right thing from your side, offer to reimburse them (in installments) for some of the costs or something.

Perhaps they make a counter offer if they see that you have decent character on won't just up and leave. As someone said earlier, just take their labour laws into account, you never know what they say on the subject.

Had a look at the labour laws and nothing prevents me from early termination.

What is "very little"?

Less than what I can earn in industry
2000 euros

Just leave. They don't care to retrench you before your contract ends. Do it for the money!

Its more than just the money.
I don't want to stay in academia, I want to move to industry. I took the postdoc to get into Europe and then look at my options from here... As far as I can remember I was honest about it during my interview...

 

[NeonNinja]

Less than what I can earn in industry
2000 euros

WTF?

 

[StellenboschStudent]

View attachment 308532

WTF?

If it was just that simple, but unfortunately things are more expensive in Paris compared to Le Cap.
Plus my wife hasn't found work yet.

http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-livin...a&city1=Cape+Town&country2=France&city2=Paris

You would need around 4,420.24€ (66,660.72R) in Paris to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with 30,000.00R in Cape Town (assuming you rent in both cities). This calculation uses our Consumer Prices Including Rent Index. This comparison assumes net earnings (after income tax).