Ending your EIS membership made easy

About EIS

The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) is the UK's oldest teaching union and professional association, established in 1847. As Scotland's largest teaching union, EIS represents over 80% of the country's teaching workforce, including teachers in nursery, primary, secondary, and special schools, as well as lecturers in further and higher education institutions. The organisation has been at the forefront of defending teachers' rights, negotiating pay and conditions, and advocating for quality education across Scotland for nearly two centuries.

EIS provides comprehensive support to its members through various means, including legal advice, professional representation, salary protection insurance, and guidance on employment matters. The union operates through local associations across Scotland, ensuring members have access to support wherever they work. Beyond individual member support, EIS plays a crucial role in shaping education policy at both Scottish and UK levels, campaigning on issues affecting teachers and the broader education system.

Most importantly, EIS membership is not compulsory for teaching professionals in Scotland. Whilst the vast majority of teachers choose to join for the protection and benefits it offers, individuals can opt out at any time. Understanding your rights regarding membership cancellation is essential, particularly when considering the financial commitment involved and your changing professional circumstances.

Plans, features and pricing

Membership categories and costs

EIS offers several membership categories tailored to different stages of teaching careers and employment situations. The membership structure recognises that teachers have varying needs and financial circumstances throughout their professional journey. Understanding which category you fall into is important when considering cancellation, as it affects both your subscription rate and the notice period you may need to provide.

Key membership benefits

EIS membership includes several valuable features that members should consider before cancelling. First, members receive comprehensive legal representation and advice on employment matters, which can prove invaluable during disputes or disciplinary proceedings. The union's legal team has extensive experience in education law and can provide support worth thousands of pounds if serious issues arise.

Additionally, members benefit from salary protection insurance, which provides financial security during periods of illness or injury. This insurance can pay up to 75% of salary for extended periods, offering protection that would be expensive to obtain independently. The union also provides professional indemnity insurance, protecting members against claims arising from their professional duties.

Keep in mind that EIS offers extensive professional development opportunities, including access to training courses, educational conferences, and publications on teaching practice. Members also benefit from discounts on various products and services through the union's partnership schemes. These tangible benefits represent significant value beyond the basic subscription fee.

Payment methods and collection

Most EIS members pay their subscriptions through monthly deductions directly from their salary via the SNCT (Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers) payroll system. This arrangement means subscriptions are collected automatically before you receive your pay, making the process seamless but also requiring formal cancellation procedures to stop payments.

Alternatively, some members pay by direct debit or annual cheque, particularly those in non-standard employment situations. The payment method you use can affect how quickly your cancellation takes effect and what documentation you need to provide. Understanding your current payment arrangement is crucial before initiating the cancellation process.

Terms of service and cancellation policy

Legal requirements in the UK

Under UK law, particularly the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992, union membership must be voluntary, and members have an absolute right to resign at any time. This means EIS cannot legally prevent you from cancelling your membership, regardless of the circumstances. However, the union can specify reasonable notice periods and administrative procedures that must be followed to process your resignation properly.

Most importantly, your cancellation request must be made in writing. Verbal cancellations or informal emails are not sufficient under the union's rules and may not be processed. This requirement protects both parties by creating a clear record of your intention to cancel and the date you communicated this decision. Written cancellation requests also help prevent disputes about whether cancellation was properly requested.

Notice periods and timing

EIS requires members to provide written notice of cancellation, with the standard notice period being one calendar month from the date your letter is received. This means if you send your cancellation letter on 15th March, your membership will typically end on 30th April, assuming your letter arrives within a few days. Planning your cancellation timing is essential to avoid paying for additional months you don't want.

Keep in mind that cancellation requests are processed according to when they're received, not when they're sent. This is why using Recorded Delivery or another tracked postal service is absolutely critical. Without proof of delivery, you cannot demonstrate when EIS received your letter, potentially leading to disputes about which month your cancellation takes effect.

Refund policy

EIS generally does not provide refunds for subscription payments already made or deducted. If you pay monthly through salary deduction and cancel with proper notice, deductions should stop from the following month after your notice period expires. However, any subscriptions already paid for the current month are non-refundable, even if you cancel mid-month.

For members who have paid annually in advance, the situation can be more complex. Typically, you won't receive a refund for the unused portion of your annual subscription, making it particularly important to time your cancellation carefully if you pay annually. This policy underscores why understanding the cancellation terms before joining is valuable.

Re-joining considerations

If you cancel your EIS membership and later decide to re-join, you'll be treated as a new member. This means any continuous membership benefits you had accumulated will be lost. Additionally, there may be a waiting period before certain benefits, particularly legal representation for pre-existing issues, become available again. Consider these long-term implications carefully before cancelling.

Cancelling by post - the complete guide

Why postal cancellation is most reliable

Postal cancellation, particularly using Recorded Delivery, provides the most reliable method for terminating your EIS membership. First, it creates an indisputable paper trail proving you submitted your cancellation request. The Royal Mail tracking system provides timestamped evidence of both posting and delivery, which becomes crucial if any dispute arises about when you cancelled or whether EIS received your request.

Additionally, postal cancellation ensures your request goes through official channels and reaches the membership administration team directly. Unlike emails that might be filtered, ignored, or claimed to have never arrived, a physical letter sent via Recorded Delivery must be signed for upon receipt. This signature provides legal proof that EIS received your cancellation request on a specific date.

Most importantly, using the postal system aligns perfectly with EIS's own requirements for written cancellation. The union's rules specifically call for written notice, and a physical letter sent through Royal Mail unquestionably satisfies this requirement. This method eliminates any potential arguments about whether your cancellation was submitted in an acceptable format.

Preparing your cancellation letter

Your cancellation letter should be clear, concise, and include all necessary information to identify your membership and process your request efficiently. Start by including your full name exactly as it appears on your membership records, your membership number if you know it, and your date of birth. These details help EIS locate your membership record quickly and avoid confusion with other members who might share your name.

Next, clearly state your intention to cancel your membership using unambiguous language. Phrases like "I am writing to cancel my EIS membership" or "Please terminate my membership effective immediately" leave no room for misinterpretation. Avoid vague language or conditional statements that might create confusion about your intentions.

Include your current contact details, including your full address, email address, and telephone number. This information ensures EIS can send you confirmation of your cancellation and contact you if any issues arise during processing. Additionally, specify how you currently pay your subscriptions (salary deduction, direct debit, etc.) as this helps the administration team stop the correct payment method.

Keep in mind that you should date your letter clearly and request written confirmation of your cancellation. Asking for confirmation creates an expectation that you'll receive acknowledgement, making it easier to follow up if you don't hear back within a reasonable timeframe. Request that the confirmation specify your membership end date to avoid any ambiguity.

The correct postal address

Sending your cancellation letter to the correct address is absolutely critical. Using an outdated or incorrect address can delay your cancellation by weeks or even months, potentially costing you additional subscription fees. Always verify the current address before posting your letter, as organisations occasionally relocate their offices or change their mailing procedures.

Send your EIS membership cancellation letter to:

• Membership Department
• Educational Institute of Scotland
• 46 Moray Place
• Edinburgh
• EH3 6BH

Double-check you've written this address correctly on your envelope. A single error in the postcode or street number could result in your letter being delayed or returned, pushing back your cancellation date and potentially costing you another month's subscription. Take your time when addressing the envelope to ensure accuracy.

Using Recorded Delivery

Never send your cancellation letter using standard first-class post. The small additional cost of Recorded Delivery (currently £3.35 at Post Office branches) provides invaluable protection and peace of mind. With Recorded Delivery, you receive a reference number that allows you to track your letter's journey online through the Royal Mail website.

When you use Recorded Delivery, the recipient must sign for the letter upon delivery. This signature creates legal proof that EIS received your cancellation request on a specific date. You can access this proof online and download it if needed, giving you concrete evidence if any dispute arises about whether or when you submitted your cancellation.

Additionally, Recorded Delivery provides compensation if your letter goes missing, though the real value lies in the tracking and proof of delivery rather than the financial compensation. The tracking information shows every stage of your letter's journey, from posting to delivery, giving you complete visibility and confidence that your cancellation request reached its destination.

Alternative tracked postal services

If you prefer alternatives to traditional Recorded Delivery, several options provide similar tracking and proof of delivery. Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed offers next-day delivery with full tracking and compensation up to £500 or £2,500 depending on the service level chosen. Whilst more expensive than Recorded Delivery, it ensures your letter arrives quickly, potentially saving you a month's subscription if timing is tight.

Postclic offers a modern solution that simplifies the entire process of sending tracked cancellation letters. Instead of visiting a Post Office, writing out your letter by hand, and queuing for Recorded Delivery, Postclic allows you to submit your cancellation request digitally. The service then professionally prints your letter, posts it via tracked delivery, and provides you with digital proof of posting and delivery.

Using Postclic saves significant time and eliminates common mistakes like addressing errors or forgetting to request proof of posting. The service maintains digital records of your cancellation request and delivery confirmation, which you can access anytime. This digital proof is particularly valuable if you need to demonstrate your cancellation date months or years later, as physical receipts can easily be lost.

Timing your cancellation strategically

Consider carefully when you send your cancellation letter to minimise unnecessary payments. If you pay monthly through salary deduction, calculate when your letter needs to arrive to ensure cancellation takes effect before the next deduction. Remember that EIS requires one month's notice from when they receive your letter, not from when you post it.

For example, if your salary is paid on the 25th of each month and subscriptions are deducted then, posting your cancellation letter around the 20th of the previous month (allowing for delivery time and the notice period) should ensure deductions stop for the following month. However, this timing can be tight, so posting earlier is always safer.

Keep in mind that postal delivery times can vary, especially during busy periods like Christmas or during postal strikes. Royal Mail aims to deliver Recorded Delivery items within one working day, but delays occasionally occur. Building in a buffer of several days ensures your letter arrives with time to spare before critical deadlines.

Following up on your cancellation

After posting your cancellation letter, monitor the tracking information to confirm delivery. Once Royal Mail shows your letter as delivered with a signature, make a note of the delivery date. This date starts your notice period, so you can calculate exactly when your membership should end.

If you requested written confirmation in your letter (which you should), expect to receive acknowledgement within two weeks of delivery. EIS should confirm receipt of your cancellation request and specify your membership end date. If you don't receive confirmation within this timeframe, follow up promptly to ensure your cancellation is being processed.

Most importantly, check your next salary statement or bank account to verify that subscription deductions have stopped as expected. If deductions continue after your membership should have ended, contact EIS immediately with your proof of delivery and request an immediate stop to deductions plus a refund of any incorrectly collected fees.

Common mistakes to avoid

First, never assume your cancellation is processed just because you posted a letter. Always use tracked delivery and verify that EIS received it. I've seen countless cases where members thought they'd cancelled, only to discover months later that their letter never arrived or went to the wrong department.

Additionally, don't cancel verbally or through informal channels. Telling your local EIS representative that you want to cancel, or sending a quick email to a general enquiries address, typically won't result in your membership being terminated. Only formal written cancellation sent to the membership department via post will reliably process your request.

Keep in mind that you shouldn't wait until the last minute to cancel if you have a specific deadline. Postal delays, processing time, and the required notice period mean you need to plan ahead. Cancelling in a rush often results in paying for an extra month you didn't want because your letter arrived just after a critical cutoff date.

Tips from former members

Why teachers cancel EIS membership

Understanding why others have cancelled can help you evaluate your own decision and ensure you're considering all relevant factors. First, some teachers leave the profession entirely, whether retiring, moving into educational administration, or changing careers. When you're no longer teaching, maintaining union membership usually doesn't make sense, though some choose to become associate members to maintain connections.

Additionally, some teachers switch to alternative unions like NASUWT or SSTA, believing these organisations better represent their interests or offer superior benefits. Competition between teaching unions in Scotland means members have choices, and some decide EIS isn't the best fit for their needs. Financial considerations also play a role, with some teachers on supply or part-time contracts finding the subscription fees difficult to justify.

Keep in mind that some teachers cancel during periods of financial difficulty, planning to re-join when their circumstances improve. Whilst this approach saves money short-term, it means losing continuous membership benefits and potentially missing out on support during challenging times. Others cancel due to dissatisfaction with union positions on particular issues or feeling the union doesn't adequately represent their concerns.

Lessons learned from the cancellation process

Former members consistently emphasise the importance of keeping comprehensive records throughout the cancellation process. Save copies of your cancellation letter, your Recorded Delivery receipt, the tracking information showing delivery, and any confirmation you receive from EIS. These documents prove invaluable if disputes arise about whether you cancelled or when your membership should have ended.

Next, many former members wish they'd acted sooner rather than delaying their cancellation decision. If you've decided membership no longer serves your needs, postponing cancellation just means paying additional months of subscriptions for benefits you're not using. However, equally important is not cancelling impulsively during temporary frustration, only to regret losing coverage when you need it.

Most importantly, former members recommend thoroughly checking that deductions have actually stopped after cancellation. Several people reported that salary deductions continued for months after their membership should have ended, requiring considerable effort to obtain refunds. Proactive monitoring of your payslip or bank statements immediately after your cancellation date helps catch and resolve such problems quickly.

Alternatives to full cancellation

Before cancelling completely, consider whether alternative membership categories might better suit your current situation. If you're taking a career break, moving to part-time work, or retiring, EIS offers reduced-rate memberships that maintain your connection to the union whilst reflecting your changed circumstances. These options can be more appropriate than full cancellation.

Additionally, if financial difficulties are driving your cancellation decision, contact EIS to discuss your situation. The union may offer payment arrangements or temporary reductions to help members experiencing hardship. Maintaining membership through difficult periods means you keep access to support services when you might need them most.

What to expect after cancelling

Once your membership ends, you'll lose access to all EIS services immediately. This includes legal representation, professional advice, salary protection insurance, and professional development opportunities. Former members report that losing access to the union's legal helpline was particularly noticeable, as having expert advice available for workplace issues provided significant peace of mind.

Keep in mind that you'll continue receiving some communications from EIS for a short period after cancellation, as it takes time for you to be removed from all mailing lists. This is normal and doesn't indicate your cancellation wasn't processed. Simply disregard these communications or contact EIS if they continue for more than a few weeks after your membership end date.

Final recommendations from experienced members

Former members consistently recommend taking time to carefully consider whether cancellation is truly the right decision. Union membership provides valuable protections that you might not appreciate until you need them. Workplace disputes, disciplinary proceedings, or employment issues can arise unexpectedly, and having union representation in such situations can make an enormous difference to the outcome.

However, if you've thoroughly considered the implications and decided cancellation is right for you, act decisively and follow the proper procedures. Use Recorded Delivery or a service like Postclic to ensure your cancellation request is tracked and provably delivered. Keep meticulous records of the entire process, and follow up promptly if anything seems amiss.

Most importantly, don't let the cancellation process intimidate you or delay your decision. Whilst EIS requires proper written notice through specific channels, the actual process is straightforward when you follow the correct steps. Thousands of teachers successfully cancel their memberships each year, and by following the guidance in this article, you can ensure your cancellation proceeds smoothly and efficiently without unnecessary complications or delays.