Returning after maternity leave - help!!

[Cernabbas]

I'm a secondary school teacher about to return after maternity leave. I offered to return a few weeks earlier than I should in order to make things easier with timetabling following exam classes leaving. It also turns out that this coincides with when another colleague in my department is due to start with maternity leave, so this seems to make sense for the kids.

Now, I am part-time at 0.6, and I know things are more complicated at this time of year with losing year 11 and 13 classes, but it looks like my Head of Department can only make me up a timetable up to 0.4 - I was under the impression that being 0.6 the school could allocate between 0.5 and 0.7

I am concerned that I will have two kids in childcare for 3 days and only get paid for 0.4 - what rights do I have? Can school do this? Or do they HAVE to give me a 0.5 timetable (or pay my for 0.5 timetable) minimum?

Any advice would be much appreciated thanks

[Cernabbas]

Anyone?

[2kidsintow]

I thought if you were contracted 0.6, then you got paid 0.6 and were in school 0.6. Were you part time on these hours before hand? Or is this a new arrangement?

The fact that they can find you only 0.4 teaching commitment should be beside the point.

Or is it different in secondary? (I'm primary)

[Cernabbas]

Yes, I was part time at 0.6 before I went on maternity leave.
When I initially went on maternity leave the Head said that if I was at 0.6 the school could give me between 0.5 and 0.7 at their discretion.

[Goblinchild]

Check out the law with your union, then you know if you have wiggle room or not.

[Munxx]

I'd contact your union. They'll be able to bash out the specifics of your contract. My union was really helpful when I had queries.

[2kidsintow]

If it's a state school then you could phone their staffing and check what your official contract is (they will know). And ask whether this is true. It's not something I've heard of.

Also, yes, contact your union for support. A quick email may give you initial support. Take a representative (another union member from school or the union rep will come out to you) into the meeting with you.

You have the right to return on what your contract was, I believe.

Are you a member of TES, there's LOTS of info on pay and conditions on that forum.

[PatTheHammer]

I've been part time for 7 years and my school have always told me that they can only change contracted hours by 10%.

Did you leave this academic year on a 0.6 contract? If so then it's the same contract until 1st September 2014 and that's what they should pay you....regardless of lessons.

Be wary if you are an academy though, they make up their own rules on this stuff.

[Cernabbas]

Aargh! We became an academy a couple of years ago. I will contact my union. Thanks!

[Munxx]

Your union should be able to read your contract, contact lawyers and if needs be write your letters for you. They did all this for me and it was a real weight off my mind.

Try not to worry.