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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think I shouldn’t have to attend 100% of meetings if I’m part time?

129 replies

parrrtime · 21/01/2025 20:09

I work three days a week, but our staff meetings fall on a day I work.

AIBU in thinking that I shouldn’t actually have to attend all of these? Not to be purposefully obtuse about it but sometimes I could really do with leaving a bit earlier and tomorrow is one of these. I am wondering if it’s worth arguing that I really shouldn’t have to stay.

There is never anything important covered in the meetings, by the way.

OP posts:
HoraceCope · 22/01/2025 06:58

of course you do
you would miss out if you didnt

Whitestick · 22/01/2025 06:53

Jumpingthruhoops · 22/01/2025 02:19

What you're describing is basically 'work to rule' - employees pretty much sticking to their contracted hours and rarely doing anything over and above this.

Officially, most in my dept are 'contracted' to work 8 hours a day, Mon-Fri. But we all know the job involves some early starts, late nights, overseas travel and social events. This is normal; I don't think I've ever worked only my contracted hours. We can say no to certain things, of course, but those who do this regularly will be seen as uncommitted. It's just how it is.
In OP's case, regardless of what's in her contract, she should 'show willing' when it comes to any meetings, overtime etc.

No.

Mumstheword1983 · 22/01/2025 06:51

Jumpingthruhoops · 22/01/2025 02:19

What you're describing is basically 'work to rule' - employees pretty much sticking to their contracted hours and rarely doing anything over and above this.

Officially, most in my dept are 'contracted' to work 8 hours a day, Mon-Fri. But we all know the job involves some early starts, late nights, overseas travel and social events. This is normal; I don't think I've ever worked only my contracted hours. We can say no to certain things, of course, but those who do this regularly will be seen as uncommitted. It's just how it is.
In OP's case, regardless of what's in her contract, she should 'show willing' when it comes to any meetings, overtime etc.

OP is asking if she is right in saying that she doesn't have to attend every meeting.
She is correct. According to her part time working agreement she is not required to attend every meeting.

It's irrelevant what other contracts/workplaces state or expect. And OP absolutely will work over and above within her directed working time. Impossible not to. It is the norm as you correctly state.

Jumpingthruhoops · 22/01/2025 02:19

WearyAuldWumman · 22/01/2025 01:34

You’re misunderstanding the OP’s contract.

In actual fact, you find that many part-timers finish up working more than their contracted hours.

The OP is working her full contracted (.6) teaching load. She is also required to attend .6 of the meetings which occur outside the school day. Whether or not the meetings take place on the same days as her teaching days is a red herring.

What you're describing is basically 'work to rule' - employees pretty much sticking to their contracted hours and rarely doing anything over and above this.

Officially, most in my dept are 'contracted' to work 8 hours a day, Mon-Fri. But we all know the job involves some early starts, late nights, overseas travel and social events. This is normal; I don't think I've ever worked only my contracted hours. We can say no to certain things, of course, but those who do this regularly will be seen as uncommitted. It's just how it is.
In OP's case, regardless of what's in her contract, she should 'show willing' when it comes to any meetings, overtime etc.

WearyAuldWumman · 22/01/2025 01:53

daisymoo2 · 21/01/2025 23:32

Are you suggesting FT teachers only work their contracted hours? It’s not what I hear from teaching friends who do many hours in excess of contract, same as every other profession I know. Seems odd advice to be giving about PT working.

Most of us work more than we should, to our own detriment.

As I indicated above, in my part-time year the LA was getting more than its money’s worth. No one would have benefited from my attendance at yet another meeting where the HT ‘consulted’ us by telling us what had already been decided.

WearyAuldWumman · 22/01/2025 01:47

In my last year of teaching, I dropped to point .8 with - of course -a loss of .2 of my salary.

l realised that - even when I dropped .2 of the after hours staff meetings - I was still giving the LA the equivalent of a day’s free labour when you added up unpaid lunchtime and after school crowd control, tuition, handovers, grading, verifying and lesson prep for my “day off”

Schools have a tendency to take advantage of part-timers: “for the good of the children”.

WearyAuldWumman · 22/01/2025 01:34

Jumpingthruhoops · 22/01/2025 00:50

So you work part time, you don't want to attend all meetings AND, this week, you want to leave early on one of the days you do work!?

Respectfully, OP, if I was your employer, I wouldn't think you were all that committed.

You’re misunderstanding the OP’s contract.

In actual fact, you find that many part-timers finish up working more than their contracted hours.

The OP is working her full contracted (.6) teaching load. She is also required to attend .6 of the meetings which occur outside the school day. Whether or not the meetings take place on the same days as her teaching days is a red herring.

Jumpingthruhoops · 22/01/2025 00:50

So you work part time, you don't want to attend all meetings AND, this week, you want to leave early on one of the days you do work!?

Respectfully, OP, if I was your employer, I wouldn't think you were all that committed.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 22/01/2025 00:43

I think the fact you are a teacher is absolutely vital info here!

For most jobs a meeting would take place within standard hours that are the same for everyone by and large every day.

Im thinking these meetings happen after school so in effect lengthening your working day (as presumably any marking, planning etc happens with or without the meeting!)

noblegiraffe · 22/01/2025 00:19

Because they're not during your work time.

MumonabikeE5 · 22/01/2025 00:18

Staff meetings in days you do work?
during work time?
Why wouldn’t you attend these?

ByQuaintAzureWasp · 22/01/2025 00:16

JimHalpertsWife · 21/01/2025 20:27

Is the rule "attend meetings when they fall on your working day"? So if someone doesn't work a Wednesday, they don't have to come in?

Are the meetings after your working day would typically finish?

All meetings are after the typical finish time for all teachers, but they should be part of the 1265 hours or pro rata.

ByQuaintAzureWasp · 22/01/2025 00:13

HEIHEI23 · 21/01/2025 20:11

If you're a teacher then you don't need to attend all of them. Sounds like you're on a 0.6 contract in which case you only need to attend 60% of them. Our staff attend all of them but claim the time back in lieu throughout the year.

This is correct. However, I would just say I have a pre-arranged appointment and leave slightly early.
If part timers start getting stroppy about attending meetings, SLT might not be so keen on allowing staff to move to part time hours. All teachers work extra, out of hours, regardless of their hours of work.

Maddy70 · 21/01/2025 23:44

parrrtime · 21/01/2025 20:16

I am a teacher yes. So for example, two of my colleagues also work 0.6 but don’t work Wednesdays, so over the course of the year I am in work a lot more than they are! I don’t actually mind particularly but it does mean I would like to defend my right to skip the odd one.

Teachers attend meetings pro rata. So no you don't have to attend them all you attend 0.6 of them over the year

noblegiraffe · 21/01/2025 23:42

If you are paid to work till 3:30pm and your colleagues are paid to work till 4:30pm, it's extraordinary that people are suggesting that you should also work till 4:30pm for free because your colleagues are working.

noblegiraffe · 21/01/2025 23:36

That's because you don't understand directed time.

daisymoo2 · 21/01/2025 23:32

Soontobe60 · 21/01/2025 22:40

Bully for you! One could argue that it’s teachers like you that give part time workers a bad name as you’re prepared to work more than youre contracted and paid for. But please, don’t insult P/T teachers who rightly believe that being PT doesn’t mean they should be treated less favourably than FT colleagues.

Are you suggesting FT teachers only work their contracted hours? It’s not what I hear from teaching friends who do many hours in excess of contract, same as every other profession I know. Seems odd advice to be giving about PT working.

noblegiraffe · 21/01/2025 23:31

Ignore the people who don't understand how teaching contracts work.

daisymoo2 · 21/01/2025 23:26

I work part time but still need to complete 100% of training to remain professionally accredited. I’d love to say “I only work 0.7FTE so I’ll only complete 7 of those 10 modules”. Never going to happen. Working in a profession requires overtime and some give and take, whether FT or PT. I’m surprised teaching isn’t the same. I’d think you were being a bit obtuse, especially if staff meetings were organised on a day to accommodate as may PT members of the team as possible, only for you to not turn up!

Holiday0007 · 21/01/2025 23:19

I'm also on a 3 day week, mon to wed. We have non-contact after school directed time on a Monday for 1.5 hrs and Tuesday for 1 hr. I asked principal if this directed time worked on a pro rata basis. The answer was yes, so I definitely see where you're coming from. He did say that I should stay if I'm involved in Monday meetings then stay less on Tuesday to make up for it. Like you, I was also peeved before this that I only work three days but thought I had to stay longer on both.

noblegiraffe · 21/01/2025 23:15

ChonkyRabbit · 21/01/2025 23:00

You sound like a model employee and I bet your manager and colleagues adore you.

Why should she do work for free that her colleagues are being paid to do?

OP, schools will shaft part time workers if you let them.

Whitestick · 21/01/2025 23:08

OP it's obvious to any teachers what you're talking about, but makes no sense to other workers who have staff meetings as part of the regular working day, if they have them.
Sayint the job you do in your OP would have been a good move!

ChonkyRabbit · 21/01/2025 23:00

You sound like a model employee and I bet your manager and colleagues adore you.

noblegiraffe · 21/01/2025 22:55

tellmesomethingtrue · 21/01/2025 22:54

You should attend the meeting, especially as it's a day that you work. Wouldn't you miss out otherwise and then other people would have to get you up to speed?

You've clearly never attended a teacher meeting Grin

tellmesomethingtrue · 21/01/2025 22:54

You should attend the meeting, especially as it's a day that you work. Wouldn't you miss out otherwise and then other people would have to get you up to speed?