even more adamant to go part time now

[popsycal]

at work
feel rubbish
boss been very weird
maybe just caught him at the wrong time - triee to explain about part time and he said the governors wouldnt go for it
even more adamant to do it now becuase of this!!!!
writing a letter toonghit quoting flexible family working stuff
god
am soooo angry and frustrated

[Beccarollo]

pig!! spit in his tea

(cant type much - feeding baba but didint want to ignore!)

[emkaren]

I used to be a teacher and wanted to go part-time after dd1 was born - the school wouldn't let me;, the FEMALE head of department said she doubted my commitment to the job - talk about female solidarity! I didn't have the guts to fight them and just left - well done to you for wanting to push this through - I think it's outrageous that the teaching profession is so inflexible when it comes to part-time working!

[Janstar]

Don't doubt that it is not only possible to teach part-time, but that it is happening in our schools.

As well as the friend I mentioned before, our local junior school has had a shared class for years. My daughter was a pupil in it one year.

[emkaren]

It is happening, but not as much as it could/should. I know several teachers like me who were stopped from working part-time -
which is not meant to discourage you, popsycal, but to spurn you on to fight for it!

[Janstar]

This whole scenario is crazy! I thought there was a shortage of good teachers, therefore new ideas must be tried?

Perhaps your boss is worried that it might make his job more complicated. Hopefully some reassurance backed up by facts might make him more amenable.

[hana]

popsycal, I went back full time when dd was 6 months old - thought I would enjoy it but after a term I had had enough and approached the head about going part time, looking into a jobshare and her response was that there was nothing at the school suitable for a parttime position. I just took her at her word and resigned the following week thinking that I wold supply around my area instead (had very flexible childcare arranged) But then a few weeks later another teacher came to me asking if I'd like to jobshare with her - we talked about it and went to the head together outlining our proposals and la ti da - I'm now working one day a week on the jobshare thingy. It works out brilliantly. Is there another teacher that might want to go parttime as well? It's my understading that they HAVE to at thevery least consider alternative working arrangements for women with young families ...I really feel for you and hope you can come to an agreement soon. Let us know what happens in any case
hana

[Hulababy]

Popsycal - they have to give you a valid reason, and it has to be specific, not a wishy washy one. You know have rights under these flexible family rules so make sure you quote as many as possible.

Get the union on your side too - they can be really useful in these situations and you pay them enough for their help!

Don't back down and give in to them either. Stick to your guns and keep nagging away at them.

Keep copies and dates of all letters/conversions you have with anyone official about this too, in case you need it at a later date.

Good luck.

[Hulababy]

Don't let them con you with the "no one to job share with" line either. I do my job as a part time job, not job share at all and it works just fine. It shouldn't be down to you to find someone to share with.

[SueW]

There's lots of part-time teaching locally. One of my friends is a p-t teacher at senior level (maths). A friend's son's primary class (Y2) has teachers job-sharing - they do half a week each.

In DD's primary school some of the teachers work p-t too although they are mainly specialists e.g the dance and drama teacher but they also cover in other teachers' absences. It seems to give lots of flexibility and the children don't get supply teachers because the part-timers/floaters seem to plug the gaps when necessary.

[popsycal]

thanks for all your posts!!
back home now
feeling crap
talked to a good friend of mine who is 'second in command' (he was away last week) and he wass fab!!! His wife gave up work to look after their kids when they were small and he said it was the best thing that they ever did!!!
the bizarre thing is that we have already got two teachers doing a job share...slightly different in that they are english specialists...but there is a precendent set
]have been reading website and they do have to give a proper reason as hulababy said
also what i thought was quite interesting...i ead somewhere that the aplpication shoudl also go to my employers....ie the LEA - is this right?
If so, then i know of afew year six teachers in other schools who job share....
going to try and start my letter this evening...

[popsycal]

am trying to begin to wrtie a letter to ask for consideraton to go part time.
any advice from part time workers?
i have seen the flexible working hours for parents websites...

[cazzybabs]

Speak to your union. My boss was funny when I wanted to come part poart time and the message I got from my union was they couldn't really say no. I am with the NUT. Anway I got part time and love it, except I work more than my part time bit. I have to do all the displays, reports etc etc, so BE wary of part-time work it definatly isn;t as part time as I offically should be!

[cazzybabs]

Sorry dd typing as well!

[popsycal]

thanks cazzy - i am in the NUT too and i am just about to send an email,,,,if i can find who to send it to on the annoying website!!!

[SusannaLH]

My mother worked part-time (secondary english) for 20 years. Has only just retired - just in time to be heavily leant on for baby sitting and possible childcare when I eventually go back to work! )
I know that her school has several part-timers, with and without children and that timetabling has fully accommodated this. Don't know whether you're a primary teacher - might be more complicated then, I suppose, but I think it is ridiculous that caring profession can be so uncaring with its employees. If there's a precedent, though....

[SusannaLH]

Sorry - looking at other threads sounds like the staff are reasonable- not the governors! Pah!

Sounds quite similar to my employer - a local council, where the professionals and HR are generally sympathetic, but the councillors themselves..............another story altogether!

[popsycal]

you know...my boss must just be thick!!!
today, i had my yearly 'professional discussion' (hmmm) and the boos approached me and said...we'll do that first then talk about the 'other issue' - felt like shouting out that the professional discussion itself is about the 'other issue'!!!
anyway...god getting sooo frustrated just typing this....
started chatting about stregnths and weaknesses etc
then the last bit was 'the future' - ie where do you see yourself in 2 years
then he launched into a huge thing about i ought to be considering another promotion and he wanted me to consider applying for a leadership role etc etc etc
i was just in utter disbelief!!!!
i can't believe that anyone can be sooooo...i don't know the word!!
i then said that over the next two years i had no intention whatsoever of going for another promotion and that in two years, i would like to thikn that i would have one more child and be considering more and be working part time
then he comes out with the rubbish about he thought that i was the kind of peson who wouldnt be happy sitting at home - that i would need my mind stimulated (i know.....it riled me sooo much too!!!!!).
so i said i couldnt think of a more stimulating and reqarding thing to be doing than 'stagnating' (tongue in cheek) at home
then i tried to give him a list of options for part time - with links to the websites for flexible working hours etc.....
then he said
and i cant beleive this bit
dont be rash about it - consider this over xmas!!!!!!!!!!!!
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
he is getting a letter on his desk on monday, so is the chair of governors and so is the LEA!
there.
decided
sorry - long post!!!

[Hulababy]

Oh, Popsycal - some people just don't listen at all do they? Get that letter on his desk first thing on Monday - maybe that'll make him take it all seriously. It makes me angry for you

Godd luck with getting the letter completed.

[popsycal]

we are going away tomorrow for the weekend...the laptop is coming with me for the journey!!

[Freddiecat]

Best of luck Pops. It's so annoying that your boss thinks this is a real flash in the pan thing. BUT I think the whole discussion shows how much your boss values you and is worried about losing you. You can use this to your advantage!

[Metrobaby]

Popsycal - I agree with Freddiecat. I reckon in a weird way its a compliment. Your boss obviously thinks your work is great and doesn't want to lose you. Believe me its a much better attitude than a boss who would want to write you off just because you want to concentrate on your family. Write your letter, and stress that your current situation is making you unhappy. Maybe you could even suggest a trial period as a compromise ?? I'm sure your boss would rather have you part time than not at all. good luck

[popsycal]

thanks folks - o friday, i found out about another colleague who may want to go part time.....but 3 days too
but have thought of a brilliant business propostion which i really think that they wold go for....
going to chat to colllegue aboti it tomorrow

[Hulababy]

Good luck with that Popyscal.

[popsycal]

letter written - during an ict lesson
redraft tonight...

[sis]

good luck with the application popsycal.