supply teachers alert

[Elasticwoman]

I am in dispute with Select Education, for whom I have done supply teaching. I have written to their head office complaining about the way they have treated me, and received no reply - in over a month.

The Quality Mark which was awarded to them by IiP says that they should have a complaints procedure, and "raise the status of supply teachers". I have complained to them too.

Any suggestions what I should do next?

[TheMagnificent7]

Employment agencies were regulated up until a few years back. If you feel they have done something either illegal, or that is totally unacceptable then you can compain to the government department [http://www.berr.gov.uk/employment/employment-agencies/page27003.html here]

Select are totally unacceptable in all of their business procedures in my experience of them and the sooner they are stopped the better. They have major contracts with several local government departments so should be held to very high statndards which they clearly aren't.

You can also take them to a tribunal if it relates to salary, or conditions, etc. They are very very pro-temp at the tribunals

[TheMagnificent7]

I wish I could do the web link thing right!

[Elasticwoman]

Thanks very much Magnificent7. I emailed Berr and they replied saying I had to trawl their website to see if I had grounds - after I had emailed them my original letter of complaint to Select which gave all the details.

What you have to say is very interesting and doesn't surprise me at all. I can't do links either, by the way; can you however suggest any one else I can write to? IiP for example, re the Quality Mark?

Select should get a mark for Poor Quality.

[AbbeyA]

Do you belong to a Union? If so I would involve them.

[Elasticwoman]

Yes I belong to the NASUWT but they are not very interested in problems with private sector employers.

It is difficult to get supply work through the local authority but I am trying. Trouble is, I've had to admit to working for Select on the application form, and I can't imagine they'll say anything nice about me.

[AbbeyA]

I have never worked for an agency. I take my CV around to local schools and get all my work that way. I get enough work, and it often leads to job shares or part time work.
Would it be worth trying the Citizens Advice Bureau?

[Elasticwoman]

Thanks Abbey - never thought of the CAB.

[TheMagnificent7]

The Union idea is excellent AbbeyA, I should have thought of it. Most are very temp friendly these days.

Personally, I'd adress the complaint to the head of the school or LEA, however I would word it very very gently and nicely as you don't want to risk a name as a trouble maker.

It's difficult to say without the full compaint, but IIP, ISO, all of those sorts of 'badges' don't actually hold much sway if there is a complaint, rather that they insist a procedure is in place. BERR is worth the trawl. If you find the grounds, they will put SELECT through a remarkably longwinded process of having to justify themselves, which also involves a government rep coming to see them and taking the complaint up. Even if you don't win it's nice to think you've given someone there a days worth of arse ache for your troubles.

SELECT is a large company made up of many divisions, and to be brutally honest, you're probably going to waste at least, if not more time than I did blowing smoke. The problem with making a stand in these sorts of matters is that they just don't care. And they have a market that they have fairly much cornered so your value to them is negligible. My experience is that they have absolutely no problem at all ill advised comments 'by accident' that can through a persons, or companies reputation into free fall. Hilariously for me, they came crawling to me cap in hand (i run an agency) because of the specialists I supply, but I'd be surprised if you get far.

Please feel free to let me know the whole complaint, I'm qualified in employment law, and have much expereince with SELECT. But much as I like a moan, unless they owe you money, I'd probably just resort to the old baby poo in the post thing ()

[Elasticwoman]

Thanks for your help Mag7. Can't involve school, it's just between me and Select. Wouldn't mind emailing you the letter I sent them, which gives all the details, but don't know your email.

[TheMagnificent7]

If someone can tell me how to give you the address without it being public i'd be glad to look. Just looked at the 'my MN' page and I can't work it out