snow days

[maxpower]

Can I just ask teaching staff - what happens to you if you don't make it in to work because of snow or bad weather? Are you required to make the time up or do you lose a day's pay? Just interested.

[hootloop]

When I was working if the school is open and you can't make it then lose a days pay.
If it isn't it is a forced closure and you still got paid.
I haven't worked since 2006 though.

[clam]

I've never lost a day's pay. I think you have to show you've made a "reasonable effort" to get in, although I've never been asked to prove that. Ought to add, though, that I've rarely not gone in when it's snowed, and my current Head makes it a point of principle not to close ever.

[PuppyMummy]

we have always been paid for snow days. we are asked to attempt to get in, which I did until one year when I battled in, in dangerous conditions and got 5 mins from school to be phoned by my hod to say go home were closing!

since then I dont try and get in unless we are def going to be open.

[winklewoman]

Just asked DH HT what he does. The school is in a smallish city and everyone who lives in the city is expected to turn up. If weather reports and snow conditions make it unreasonable for those who live in the sticks to get in, that is quite acceptable. No one has ever had pay docked.

[OrangeMochaFrappucino]

It all hinges on school buses for us. If they can't get through, school gets closed. If school is closed, it wouldn't be fair to dock pay. If the buses can get in, I have always been able to as well so far though sometimes late. Luckily my childminder never closes - if you can get your child to her she will look after them!

Ime, teachers do make up the time anyway - a snow day is essentially a working from home day as there is always marking/planning to catch up on!

I think the whole issue of snow days is really complicated - my dh always keeps back a few days of annual leave specifically for this eventuality but if both parents are teachers they don't have this option. I think employers should always make the effort to enable employees to make up time if possible rather than lose pay.

[winklewoman]

Euphemia, that used to be the case here too, teachers were supposed to turn up and report for duty at the nearest accessible school, but it died out, partly because primary school teachers were out of their depth if the nearest was a big secondary, and vice versa. Also the advent of 'health and safety' considerations made heads uneasy about having lots of kids who live locally supervised by too few teachers, most of whom lived out of catchment. The demise of the local authority has meant policies for 'snow days' are in disarray so it is down to individual heads. DH HT says he just tells his stranded staff to go and throw snowballs at any handy Academy or Free School.

[cricketballs]

I live in the back of beyond and in my first school my HT was initially very when I had to call to say I could not get in although I was never docked wages. She moved a couple of years later to not far from me and miraculously she was a lot more understanding (in fact the school closed more often ).

My current school there are 2 SLT members that live in my area and it has never been a problem (although the first time I couldn't get in I did take a photo of a tape measure in the snow which was 20cm to send my HoD so he wouldn't spend the next week taking the mickey

[Kayakinggirl86]

I remember as a enthusiastic NQT living in the most remote part of England after 2 days stuck in the house, cross country skiing to school. Remember getting cross examined by the head how had I got in when people who lived in villages I had to go through where not in!! Some members of staff don't think ever forgave me for that!

Now as a bit older/ sensible HoD (living in the south of England) an inch of snow and I am unsure about going in!!

[cardibach]

THe Snow School idea wouldn't work for me - if I could get to my nearest school (a primary, while I am a Secondary teacher) I could get to work. I can't get out of my own lane if it snows, that's my problem.

[winklewoman]

caribach, it would not work for many teachers, which is why the idea has generally been abandoned.