French woman will 'never work' in Guernsey again

Margot Robert left her role because she felt that she "did not receive the same level of support" as UK colleagues

A French national who left her job as a teacher in Guernsey after three months has said she would "never work" in the island again.

Margot Robert accepted a job as a modern foreign languages teacher at Les Beaucamps High School in May 2023.

She claimed that a string of "unexpected obstacles" with the States' HR department surrounding her paperwork and a £5,000 relocation package led to her resignation months later.

In a statement, the States said screening checks for non-UK nationals were needed before any relocation payment was made.

'Tantamount to gaslighting'

The teacher, who has now returned to France, said she "only took the job as she was told she would receive her relocation payment prior to deployment".

Miss Robert described her treatment as "tantamount to gaslighting" which left her feeling "misled, betrayed, and trapped" in her decision to move to Guernsey.

She said that while completing documentation an HR employee told her they were "very surprised" someone would have promised payment before deployment as it was "extremely unlikely".

This resulted in Miss Robert having to use savings to move to the island despite all her documentation not yet being complete.

'Lack of clarity'

Miss Robert said the primary problem she encountered was around the HR communication with what pre-employment checks were required.

"The lack of clarity exacerbated my frustration, as it appeared that the relocation process was deliberately convoluted," she said.

She was told that various prerequisites needed to be fulfilled before the money was released, including having "visa insurance" and opening a Guernsey bank account.

Miss Robert said the additional requirements exceeded what was communicated to her and were different to what was needed for UK citizens relocating.

"It is evident that the relocation document is misleading to potential employees who do not possess a British passport, as it falsely suggest that all candidates would receive the same level of consideration."

She added: "It became apparent that I did not receive the same level of support as my colleagues."

'Endured undue stress'

Miss Roberts resigned from her position, stating that her journey had been "marred by numerous missteps" by the HR team.

"I have expended significant financial resources, emotional energy and endured undue stress, which has had a profound impact on my mental health," she said.

The States of Guernsey launched a review panel at the start of July, tasked with considering recruitment and retention within the States due to "significant challenges to appoint and retain staff".

Paul Montague, a local representative of the National Education Union said recruitment for teachers in Guernsey was "as bad as I've ever known it".

"There is undeniably a shortage of teachers; it's acute in Britain but we really do feel it in Guernsey.

"We're constantly told that things are in place to drive it forwards but we don't seem to be making much process" he said.

He said difficulties in replacing lost teachers and the use of supply staff was "problematic" in the progress of learning.

Recruitment 'remains challenging'

A spokesperson for the States said: "Whilst it is always disappointing when an appointment process does not go as smoothly as all parties may have wished, the above case does not reflect the experience of the 888 appointments that were made across all services in 2023."

In a statement, the States also said checks, including background screening, visa and immigration checks for non-UK nationals, and population management requirements, were needed before any relocation payment was made.

It said recruitment "remains challenging" in the bailiwick.

"From September 2024, out of a teacher workforce of 578, we only have three teacher vacancies at secondary level and none in primary," it said.

"We are anticipating engaging approximately 14 agency staff in September who are taking up temporary roles required for a fixed-term period, and/or pending successful permanent appointments or return of individuals following a period of absence such as maternity leave.”