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AIBU?

Head of school I work for wants me to do cleaning to make up hours I can't do at mo

320 replies

babayjane67 · 03/07/2020 11:26

Hi all!
Sorry the titles bit long but couldn't think of a shorter one!
I work as a lunch time supervisor at my DDS school.we both went bk 3 wks ago as she's in yr6.i look after both her class bubbles,which is nearly the whole class of 29.
Anyway in normal times,I also do the breakfast club every day but obviously at the moment that's not possible.
When I went into work on Tues,the head caught me&said they're wanting to get everybody bk into school to make up for the hrs they're not working.one of the breakfast club girls is shielding so can't come bk but he's apparently talking to her about how it's going to work in September.
The other girl is coming bk on Mon being a lunch time supervisor for a new key worker kids bubble that will start.
He wants me to clean to make mine up.so all light switches,door handles,sinks in classrooms& toilets &all toilet seats throughout the school.desks too I think.
He said think about it&let me know tomorrow I'll come&find u.well he didn't though I did see him wandering round on Wed.i wasn't in yesterday as I've got a nasty ear infection at mo.we don't work Fridays as the kids only do half day so that a deep clean can be done of the school each week.
This morning I get an email detailing my cleaning schedule starting Mon&saying what equipment I will be using etc.not asking me if I wanna do it/have I thought about it&made a decision.no just this is yr schedule starting Mon let us know what side if the lunch time you want to do it.
I've got nothing against cleaning,I've been one as a job in the past.so I haven't got a problem with doing it as a job but I don't want to do it as fir a start I get asthma so that's why he said fir me to work with yr6 not the younger ones,as they can social distance better&they understand more.plus I really don't want to be cleaning their loo seats etc.Im not dealing with any little ones at mo in any capacity.ive got 2 GC the youngest being 4&I've had to keep away from them as he's got a low immune system as well as me with my asthma so I don't want to then be dealing with stuff like that where everyone sits,touches things&risk passing anything on.
My dp isn't happy about me doing either fir the same reasons&said he would have told the head no straight away!
I haven't replied to the email yet.
Aibu?

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Shallow07 · 03/07/2020 11:40

I don't have any advice but I would speak to your Union rep if you have one, and if not ACAS, to see what your rights are. Hope you can get it sorted Flowers

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FreeKitties · 03/07/2020 11:43

This is tricky - on the one hand it’s good to be offered something you can make your regular hours up with, but it should have been OFFERED not presented as ‘this is happening’

Are you in a position financially to just work the reduced hours at the moment?

I have asthma too and cleaning in hot weather using chemicals would set it off so I think that’s a good reason why the cleaning wouldn’t work.

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vodkaredbullgirl · 03/07/2020 11:44

I work nights in a care home, we do cleaning at night as well as looking after residents.

They should be providing PPE.

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reinacorriendo · 03/07/2020 11:45

Haha our school don’t even shut for a deep clean. They’ve done this in our school putting breakfast club etc all over making up hours in the school.

I work at lunch time but live someone shielding but having issues so am unpaid at the moment. Can you not take those hours as unpaid?

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reinacorriendo · 03/07/2020 11:46

Our school do offer full PPE but it’s not worn

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Greggers2017 · 03/07/2020 11:46

I think you either need to work those hours or ask to take them unpaid. It's only fair if everybody else is working the hours they are paid for.

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mrsm43s · 03/07/2020 11:48

It surely depends whether you are happy to take the drop in pay that goes alongside a drop in hours.

Your not expecting your employer to still pay you for hours you refuse to work, when there is work available for you to do, surely?

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Emeraldshamrock · 03/07/2020 11:50

If they supplied the correct PPE I'd do it if it meant I wasn't going to be paid as my usual job is unavailable.
Will you be left out of pocket by refusing?

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Alexandernevermind · 03/07/2020 11:54

It is a case of "all hands on deck". As long as its within your contacted hours, you have PPE and use cleaning product in ventilated spaces I can't see the problem. You use the same cleaning products at home so why can't you do the toilets? I have asthma too, so understand how it affects you if you don't use cleaning products safely.

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PrivateD00r · 03/07/2020 11:54

It is very much up to you and whether you need the extra pay! It is very normal during these strange times to be redeployed, physios etc in the NHS were temporarily redeployed to cleaning in our trust and they were happy to play their part. I have asthma too but have continued my usual patient facing role as my asthma thankfully isn't severe enough to require shielding. Ask for PPE for your cleaning, especially a face mask as the chemicals will be harsh for you. Or continue to reduced hours and reduced pay if you prefer that. It really is your choice!

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hashtagbollocks · 03/07/2020 11:55

can you not wear a mask / goggles when cleaning.
TBH there's a huge amount more cleaning needing doing and if you have "free" hours then I think it's a good use of your time.
I guess otherwise you take the drop in pay?

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Alexandernevermind · 03/07/2020 11:56

Also bear in mind that when austerity comes there will be job cuts. By showing willing you will make sure your position is safe. X

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Ishouldtryabiteachdayer · 03/07/2020 12:01

I don't think you are going to catch Covid from cleaning a toilet. I have asthma and generally it's bleach and limes scale remover spray that I find the worst. I don't think schools use beach. Personally I would make up my hours. Do you feel downgraded by being asked to clean is that why you don't want to?

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babayjane67 · 03/07/2020 12:01

Thanks for yr replies.
He hasn't said anything about wages at all&I haven't thought to ask to be honest,stupidly.he took me really by surprise though!
We break up in 2 wks anyway&none if us HAD to go bk to work.same as the kids didn't HAVE. To go bk to school.plus I think he's been doing it himself the whole time if lockdown as the schools been open the whole time fir key workers kids.
Id be quite happy to work with one of the yr6 bubbles or KS2 bubbles in class to make up the hrs but I don't want to do the cleaning for the reasons I've mentioned.

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PinkyBrain · 03/07/2020 12:02

I’d suck it up op, it’s not ideal but it’s not forever and you’re going to lose hours and therefore money otherwise. It all depends on whether you can afford to take the hit, there’s work available and if you can do it safely you’d be wise not to refuse. Entirely up to you though.

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Subordinateclause · 03/07/2020 12:04

I'm a pregnant teacher in with Y1 and having to clean toilets and touch points daily. That's just how it is at the moment.

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babayjane67 · 03/07/2020 12:05

No I should try I don't feel down graded as I said I've been a cleaner before as a job.more than once in fact!.used to get up at 4.15 every morning to do cleaning job in council offices then did lunch time supervisor job then cleaning council offices again in the evening.
So like I said have nothing against cleaning!

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Sirzy · 03/07/2020 12:07

Well as long as you don’t expect to be paid for the hours you refuse to work.

With PPE there is no reason you shouldn’t step in and help the other staff members with the cleaning.

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heartsonacake · 03/07/2020 12:09

I think YABU. Asthma is such a common condition and unless it’s severe it shouldn’t stop you from cleaning at work.

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WeebleGirl · 03/07/2020 12:10

Cleaner at a primary school here... I've been struggling with cleaning food off carpets for the last few weeks as the little ones are no longer eating in the hall. Is this the same at your school? I've had additional workload due to extra cleaning measures as well as the food mess issue to deal with. Might be an extra point of view to consider in your response to the Head Teacher. In your position, with less work, I would probably show willing to help out in other ways :)

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babayjane67 · 03/07/2020 12:13

Yes Weeble it's the same in our school with all the kids eating in their classrooms.
Yea I'm quite happy to help out in the classroom or something instead but I don't want to do the cleaning.im not sure if that would able to be done though without asking .

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Emeraldshamrock · 03/07/2020 12:17

It really is a case of all hands on deck it may not go down well if you stick with not in my job description.
Teacher's doctor's and other professionals are getting the cleaning products out rather than waiting for an official cleaner after each visit.

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WorraLiberty · 03/07/2020 12:33

I suppose you could ask for a risk assessment?

But as a PP said, it's all hands on deck in most workplaces really.

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NoIDontWatchLoveIsland · 03/07/2020 12:46

Are you clinically vulnerable OP?

If you aren't, asthma or no, it's because Covid doesnt actually pose a greater risk to you than anyone else.

Actually, for most people, covid poses a low risk. It is a much higher risk for older people and those who are clinically vulnerable, and the media focuses on this.

We need to learn to live with this relatively small amount of risk and cope with it.

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MarcelineMissouri · 03/07/2020 12:46

Just make sure you have the correct PPE. I don’t really think you can say no to be honest unless your asthma is severe but I presume you’re not shielding or anything as you’re back to work. I work as a lunchtime supervisor and our hours and duties have changed a bit since we went back, as it has for the teachers and ta’s as well.

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