Deferring TC start date?

[CJ]

Hi all, I have a training contract set to begin in Spring 2022 (after GDL and LPC, with a three month gap in between). When offered the TC in late 2019 my firm gave me the choice between a Spring or Autumn 2022 start.

I am starting to regret my choice as I strongly want to improve my language skills abroad before the TC starts, and as the LPC requires a month of prep, currently I only have two free months, which still could be disrupted by Covid.

If I ask my firm whether it’s possible to defer my start date will this put me in a disadvantaged position by showing indecision and lack of commitment? I’m concerned it will effectively mean I would become first out of the door if any layoffs are made if Covid worsens.

Does anyone have any experience with this type of situation? I’d really appreciate any thoughts!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi all, I have a training contract set to begin in Spring 2022 (after GDL and LPC, with a three month gap in between). When offered the TC in late 2019 my firm gave me the choice between a Spring or Autumn 2022 start.

I am starting to regret my choice as I strongly want to improve my language skills abroad before the TC starts, and as the LPC requires a month of prep, currently I only have two free months, which still could be disrupted by Covid.

If I ask my firm whether it’s possible to defer my start date will this put me in a disadvantaged position by showing indecision and lack of commitment? I’m concerned it will effectively mean I would become first out of the door if any layoffs are made if Covid worsens.

Does anyone have any experience with this type of situation? I’d really appreciate any thoughts!

It won't put you at a disadvantage - requests to defer just don't work like that. And there wouldn't be any first out of the door in any layoffs were made (if they were, they would be deferring you, not laying you off).

The worst that can happen is they can say no. They could also ask you to defer you to Spring 2023.

 

[D]

My only consideration would be how this affects your particular firm's qualification route.

To note, my firm is running LPC entry for 2022, but SQE entry for 2023, which requires an additional 4 months of study as the strict SQE Prep Courses do not cover the additional material required to be "office-ready".

Some food for thought!

 

[Alice G]

Just to add to this, I would look back at your offer letter and the terms and conditions of your contract. It might be that deferrals are mentioned within the terms of your contract and might possibly lay out the circumstances in which you can seek to defer This May be more of a formality thing and just a standard term to a TC and the process and grounds to defer may be more relaxed in practice but it might be worth referring to this anyway