Favoritism in the workplace.

[sparklyroundhat]

When extra work comes up it's nearly always the same people that get given all the opportunities.
Does this only happen where I work, or is it the same at your school?
The staff sycophants polite word for Headteacher ass kissers seem to do particularly well?
And discuss.

[momtothree]

It depends on the work - nice trip out or a week outside bike training - in the rain? Zoo or cupboard cleaning ? mmmmm

[sparklyroundhat]

The word work is possibly not a good choice of word. I am mainly talking about paid employment, as in extra hours . I am a parent helper, looking to eventually become a TA, hopefully even at my child's school.
As it stands, at least two people have been asked to fill in as TAs in some of the classes and I know that they don't have qualifications. I have overheard that they are being paid.
The one is a Governor and the other lady works part time in the office.

Is this type of thing usual? A case of who you know and how popular you are with the head, being the most important criteria for advancement? [hmnm]

[ArcangelaTarabotti]

DO they know you are interested/available? Why not ask? Just say you want to be considered for paid opportunities that come up. Maybe the others just asked...?

[ElizabethHoover]

Don't work at your kids school. It's lame

[Zippidydoodah]

I was coming on here to agree with you to start with; yes, the head has his/her favourites and that's always been the case at my school. But I'm a teacher.

As a parent helper you haven't a leg to stand on unless you go to the head and specifically request that you be considered to stand in for an lsa if necessary. Do you think you do an exemplary job? Because the best parent helpers are the ones who will get asked.

[Finola1step]

If one person works pt in the office, then presumably she is already in the pay roll. It is then very easy for her and the school just to claim/ pay fot the extra hours worked. Much easier than putting someone into the payroll.

Have you had a conversation with the Head to tell them how much you like working in the school and would relish an opportunity to work as part of the team on a more regular basis?

IME there can be a bit of favouritism but not towards individuals as such. It's more to do with favoured "type" of employee.. Those who are willing to get stuck in, are available to work extra hours without fuss, and most important, those who get the job done with a smile on their face and a cheery nature.

[ItsAllKickingOffPru]

It depends what the work is and if they have experience of it before or skills they can offer without needing intensive training.
Agree that a chat with the Head saying you are always open to extra hours can be useful. I'd also add why you want the work - if you're aiming for a TA job say so, although actively working towards a TA qualification is often favoured as it shows commitment to being a professional rather than just a parent looking for a bit of pin money.
Also, don't be afraid to take your experience and apply for TA jobs elsewhere. There's a lot of competition, but not all posts are advertised with an internal candidate in mind.

I've been in the 'right place at the right time' and it's not favouritism as such, it's getting your face known and building up a reputation as someone who can slot in and work well with the class teacher etc.

[woodhill]

sparky I think you are right and I saw it happen at the primary school where I worked a long time ago. Really the jobs should be advertised but it doesn't always happen.

[momtothree]

Ok where I am u need to be in a supply list - have u asked if there is one? They wont pay helpers. ... u do it for free. X

[ItsAllKickingOffPru]

Short term hours don't have to be advertised and for sickness absence etc that wouldn't be possible. A Head can either pay silly money for Supply or just give the hours to existing employees.

[AsBrightAsAJewel]

There is a difference between unfair recruitment and covering a role in a short-notice emergency. In that case there really isn't the time to go through the lists of who might like the hours. It is a case of the first person who comes to mind that is a) DBS checked, b) good with the children, c) can undertake the role with limited explanation, d) has the level of professionalism, e) has had a full safeguarding induction, f) has a payroll number & g) is likely to be available for those hours at short notice. I can see why two known people are asked - both the governor and office staff will probably fulfil all those criteria.

If you really want to be considered why not apply for a post as a midday supervisor, go on every course the school offers, then make it known that you are interested in TA work, are flexible and available a short notice to cover emergencies and love working with the children and staff.

[woodhill]

true but often TAs used to appear at the primary without the job being advertised. this was in the 00s.

[ItsAllKickingOffPru]

That's why there's a fair few crap LSAs on permanent contracts still hanging on in there, woodhill.
The traditional route of Parent Helper - TA has caused a lot of problems with untrained, unprofessional staff.

[stillwearingaredribbon]

Our school is horribly insular
Family members getting TA jobs that are never advertised. Parents volunteer then slip into paid roles, again not advertised
I don't know how they get away with it

[WhenMarnieWasThere]

Iirc, the only jobs that have to be advertised legally are management ones. Head and deputy. It's god practise to advertise for all posts, but not legally required.

[sparklyroundhat]

stillwearing, our school office has two family members and the Head's daughter is often to be seen working in the office at various times throughout the year! I presume its a nice cushy part time job for when she is home from Uni! To earn some extra money.
It seems a bit unfair.

I expect this type of thing goes on in all areas but I wondered if it is more rife in schools?

[OinkBalloon]

I volunteered at my dc's school for years, and was never offered any paid roles. Invitations to school trips were offered as a 'thanks', but I was under no illusions: I was there as a reliable adult to make up ratios. I once asked how come I had not been considered for xyz role, and was answered "We thought you weren't interested!". As soon as I said that I was interested in working (as opposed to volunteering) I began to be invited on courses and the jobs I was asked to do became more responsible - and often less fun, too. It was almost as if I had a year-long interview/appraisal/probationary. When a job came up I had to apply like anybody else, but I got the job.

[ElizabethHoover]

Momtothree what's with the text speak ?

[ItsAllKickingOffPru]

Do you have a TA qualification, OP?

[sparklyroundhat]

Not yet.
But I have spent more time in a classroom over the last couple of years than the person in the office or the governor.
So even though I am also not qualified, neither is the governor or the office clerk.
So why ask them do do it? (fill in for short term paid cover that is).

[woodhill]

I agree itsallkickingoff. I moved on to another school and it is preferable iMO to be somewhere away from your own dc. however I knew alot of the students anyway as alot had been in the primary school. There was also the odd TA there who were not up to it but managed to hang on.

It happens in all walks of life I think and I have seen it in the private sector as well.

[ItsAllKickingOffPru]

It could well be favouritism, but you're expecting to benefit from that favouritism too and are miffed you are not. It's no use complaining about unfairness just because the system isn't swinging in your direction!
I know where you are coming from and I've been in your situation in the past.
So I made sure I was qualified, identified specialisms, took what I needed from my voluntary role in terms of experience then told them I wasn't prepared to give my skills for free any longer and left. Lo and behold, a job came up soon after, then extra paid hours. TA-ing is a profession. Schools don't owe you anything and you don't owe them your time for free if you have something to offer, because somewhere there will be a school who does appreciate a qualified workforce willing to engage with CPD.

Keep a log of all the things you do in your volunteer role, make a portfolio of it, ask to attend any courses/INSET days that the paid staff are going on. Write a formal letter/CV and ask them to keep it on file in case any opportunities come up.

[sparklyroundhat]

Good advice KickingOff. Thanks.

[woodhill]

I can't say I miss the inset days. It was a total waste of time and I would have rather had the time off and not been paid.

[ItsAllKickingOffPru]

I got to pick and choose what I was interested in and what would add to my portfolio. One of the few perks of Volunteering