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AIBU?

To not want to work on Saturday?

50 replies

JonnaSilvie · 26/09/2017 14:12

I'm a teacher in secondary school, and we do visit days every Saturday for Year 5 students at local primaries. Departments take turns to run them, and they've just announced that ours will be this weekend (nothing like notice, right?). Lots of people in the department have young children, so can't drop everything and come in on short notice, so the deputy head has said that he's relying on those of us who don't to come on in.

I initially told him I wouldn't be able to, as I'm a carer to two family members every Saturday to give other family some respite, since they do all week when I am working. He said that was fine, and he'd asked others.

Anyway, he came and found me today and told me that he is still a member of staff short, so I'd HAVE to come in, or he'll have to cancel the whole thing. He kind of caught me by surprise, so I said I would ring family and ask if someone could cover me so I could come in. I'll probably still do this in a mo.

But AIBU to really not want to? I look forward to seeing my family on the weekend, and I feel bad that I'd have to get somebody else to look after them, when I should be able to just do it myself. AIBU to say no?

OP posts:

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TeenTimesTwo · 26/09/2017 14:14

YANBU.
Why do y5s need these visit days?

Bluerose27 · 26/09/2017 14:16

Sorry, I can't come in at short notice and work a day I'm not contracted to work. I have family commitments No can do. See you Monday.

Userwhocouldntthinkofagoodname · 26/09/2017 14:20

Of course your not unreasonable to not want to work. You can say no and let deputy deal with it. But on the other hand you have to consider your career...

monkeysox · 26/09/2017 14:23

I'm sorry I have commitments that day. It is too short notice. Yanbu

HelenaDove · 26/09/2017 14:24

"Lots of people in the department have young children, so can't drop everything and come in on short notice, so the deputy head has said that he's relying on those of us who don't to come on in"

This tells me he wouldnt have come up to you and told you to come in if you had a child.

You have caring responsibilities on a Saturday and they are not less important than childcare ones.

Lurkedforever1 · 26/09/2017 14:25

As a parent who spent years avoiding any job where this scenario might have happened due to a lack of childcare, I think it's hugely unreasonable to automatically excuse the parents whilst dumping it on those without young kids.

JonnaSilvie · 26/09/2017 14:29

I think I will do just that and email to say that I have prior commitments and it's too short notice. Thanks all.

I'd like to hope that my entire career doesn't rest on this, user!

OP posts:

rightnowimpissed · 26/09/2017 14:33

Total yanbu, thats absolulty very short notice and one wouldve thought these this wouldve been arranged better than this, someone has made a real f**k up.

milliemolliemou · 26/09/2017 14:35

Surely parents would want to come in during the week to see how the school works - how many would there be - and would it be practical for a longer school day for a couple of days? or a video of the school made by pupils with all the other info including results up on a website with a tick box for parents who want to see more/talk to specific teachers?

TansyVioletta · 26/09/2017 14:38

Our local secondary never does visit days for year 5s on a saturday. None of the local secondaries do. Is it private as come to think of it the private schools do saturday open days. I suppose Saturday work might be part and parcel of working in a private school, but if it's state i don't think it should be expected

HelenaDove · 26/09/2017 14:40

Then the Saturday work should include the parents who work there as well.

JonnaSilvie · 26/09/2017 14:40

It's a state school.

OP posts:

ilovesooty · 26/09/2017 14:41

Is it an academy?

littlebird77 · 26/09/2017 14:45

The short notice is a terrible bind, but it is a one off.

I am not sure I would make a big deal of it, you knew it would be happening at some point, and you can see your family on Sunday or next weekend. If you feel you must, send an email requesting more notice next time, and that you have had been inconvenienced.

LuluJakey1 · 26/09/2017 14:45

If it is a maintained secondary school, he can not make you work on a Saturday unless it has been put in your agreed hours calendar- agreed yearly with union reps and staff up to 1265 hrs a year. If it is an academy that does not honour STPC, he can.

BoomBoomBoomBoooom · 26/09/2017 14:46

You should definitely refuse to some in if other colleagues don't have to just because they have kids. That's awful!

LuluJakey1 · 26/09/2017 14:47

But whatever, it is bad practice to not give staff any notice, even if it agreed time so you don't have to do it and do not be pressured. Speak to your union rep about it.

dyathinkso · 26/09/2017 14:50

Hi,

Like other colleagues I have carer responsibilities at the weekend and will not be attending. I will see you on Monday.

Thank you

DJBaggySmalls · 26/09/2017 14:51

Yanbu; its not an inconvenience, its just not possible for everyone to get a carer so they can work outside of normal hours. And you shouldn't have to explain this.

Willow2017 · 26/09/2017 14:53

Our primary kids go to their secondary for visits during school hours on the run up to the sumnmer holidays.
Why on earth do they do them on a Saturday? I wouldnt be happy having to take my kids to school on a saturday when they have other things on (and so do I!)

Andrewofgg · 26/09/2017 14:55

As a parent who spent years avoiding any job where this scenario might have happened due to a lack of childcare, I think it's hugely unreasonable to automatically excuse the parents whilst dumping it on those without young kids.

This. Everyone's private life is of equal value and in a line of work which requires Saturdays or Sundays or nights everyone must take an equal share - with or without dependants, children or otherwise.

However: this is unreasonably short notice for anybody.

lborgia · 26/09/2017 14:56

I am surprised that you would get an automatic pass for having children - plenty of parents work at the weekend because there is another adult to child mind.... and if it is an accepted part of the calendar that it will be at the weekend, then they should be as capable as anyone.

three seconds' notice isn't really going to work for anyone though, is it?

I love working weekends occasionally.

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lborgia · 26/09/2017 14:56

X-post Andrew

JonnaSilvie · 26/09/2017 14:56

Littlebird, but what would I do with my family members? They can't just be left alone for hours, I am supposed to be caring for them.

It is an academy.

OP posts:

Willow2017 · 26/09/2017 14:57

Littlebird
I am not sure I would make a big deal of it, you knew it would be happening at some point, and you can see your family on Sunday or next weekend. If you feel you must, send an email requesting more notice next time, and that you have had been inconvenienced.

OP isnt going for a social visit!
She is caring for relatives to give other relatives time off as they do it all week, she does Saturdays. They might have plans for somewhere to go and relax or something particular planned, its not always possible to do some things on a Sunday.

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