Do I have to inform my employer about study outside of work hours?

daenerysstormborn3

I'm thinking about taking up 3 evening classes starting in October. They're on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. The two on Monday and Tuesday finish in December but the one on Wednesday runs until March, it's a Fetac level 5.

What I am wondering is am I obliged to tell my employer? Basically in my job you're expected to work late whenever, you don't get asked and you don't get notice. We do get the time back but only when it suits them. At one stage I had built up 3 days off I had worked late so much. So obviously if I take up these evenings classes I won't be able to stay late on those three evenings. Am I obliged to tell my employer in advance of signing up and paying for these classes?

There is a paragraph in my contract that says "occasionally (bull****) you may be asked (bull****) to work late. You will be compensated appropriately", that's basically the gist of it, but nothing in relation to taking up study outside of work etc.

The evening classes are mainly for personal development, nothing to do with a career change or anything like that, so no reason for my employer to think I'm being secretive for that reason.

silja

Since it is outside of your core hours and your contract only states that "you may be asked", you are not obliged to inform them. However, since you do often get asked, I think it would be easier for everyone if you let them know once you signed up for the courses, so they don't bother asking you for OT on those days.

Laneyh

You wouldn't be obliged to tell them but if the courses don't present a conflict of interest no harm in mentioning it

At least they would understand why you need to leave on time on those days

Verres

+1 to both of the above; unless there's a compelling reason not to tell them, what harm could it do?

Most employers are very happy to see their employees getting extra qualifications.