Bradford factor makes things worse, not better

[Elendel]

I work in a school. As is the case in many schools right now, absence is ridiculously high - and it makes sense: schools are germ breeding grounds, especially at this time of year. I've had 3 absences for different illnesses so far (all last resorts, but they happened to bunch together this year - new school, new germs and all that, but you really can't work in a school with D&V or complete loss of voice).

Another colleague, who has been put on formal absence monitoring due to a relatively high Bradford factor, has recently come in with flu so bad they've had to be carted out in an ambulance. We have two teachers in the department with health conditions which mean the flu is dangerous for them, and another who looks after elderly relatives, so the fact we used the Bradford score to beat my colleague over the head with and made them come in despite severe illness means they've been put at risk.

Now it looks like I've caught the flu, too, and I, too, am considering going in. I've spent the weekend in bed with high fever (still marking work), dragged myself in the last two days, but had the shivers so bad last night I thought I was going to die. Three layers of blankets and two thick layers of clothing and I could not get warm. I'm aching and dizzy. I have a full day, meetings after school I can't miss, behaviour is horrendous right now.

And yet I'm considering going in. Because another absence would mean I'd be put on formal absence procedures, too, and I can't afford that when looking for another job.

AIBU to go in and hope I, too, am going to need to be carted out in an ambulance before someone sees how ridiculous the whole thing is?

If you are ill do not go in. For all the reasons you give.

Worry about their silly scoring system later. There's a huge shortage of teachers: they can't sack you all. Just write nasty notes which, while unpleasant and bad for morale, are ultimately just an exercise in form filling.

I'm your typical UPS3 teacher, though. The kind that's expensive to keep.

The Bradford system is awful. It's too rigid & allows no discretion. We had it for years & then for once common sense prevailed & they dropped it

My employer binned Bradford shortly after covid due to the enforced absences for self isolation etc pushing scores into the tens of thousands -it was actually quite comical!

I can't think straight, I think I'm going to have to stay home. I
wouldn't be safe to drive and we don't need another teacher literally
dropping down in front of the kids.

Definitely too rigid a system and I might mention the fact that their system meant I got ill due to another colleague feeling forced to come in if they get shirty over absence. Like I said, it's more how it looks on applications that's my worry (and the fact that I'm a huge target at my salary level anyway).

Absolutely agree, we use this. Above 49 and your on monitoring! I went in, full of cold and a chesty cough but had no choice

it sounds like you and some of your colleagues have very serious low immunity and perhaps aren’t in the right professions

you didn’t get the flu vaccine presumably

Going against the tide here but if I was looking for another job I would take some day nurse stuff and struggle on.

Bradford factor is ridiculous. I'm rarely off (one day so far this year from Sept) but mine is 36 because it's on a rolling thing and they are not transparent about how exactly that works. It also seems that if you struggle on and only take one day then come back before you are really better you are penalised and would be better off staying off for longer because of the squaring thing. I also have colleagues who have lots of time off for childcare which their partners can never seem to share and nothing is said to them. It is crap for morale.

From my experience most staff are on absence monitoring for this reason. That's the result of the policy. Let them waste their time with their review meetings etc. It usually ends after 6 months. You just do you and be honest at all times, as you would be.

This

Yeah it's not great is it.

Did you get a flu jab? Perhaps the school could consider paying for everyone who wants it to have it privately next year - it will save them money if you all keep getting flu

There's only two questions that matter.

1. Am I fit to work?
2. Am I safe to practice?

As a professional nobody else can answer those questions for you. Once you've answered them to your own satisfaction, act accordingly and let the chips fall where they may.

As far as infection goes - tbh viruses go round. I don't pay much attention to whether people have come in unwell, as you're just as likely to catch it somewhere else.

Also, if you don't like the profession or the way they score absence then perhaps find another job?
Oh but wait, what other job has 13 weeks annual leave, assistants who are paid minimum wage to cover work, and training days on top of 13 weeks annual leave?

Some schools are awful. It can frequently be wrong school rather than profession. Schools are like different countries with how they approach behaviour and staff morale.

Not really a reason to stay if she hates it. Plus a lot of places score absence the same way

Did you get a flu jab? Perhaps the school could consider paying for everyone who wants it to have it privately next year - it will save them money if you all keep getting flu

Most schools will reimburse the cost of your flu jab. This is standard.

You despise your job
You think management are unfair and against you
You seem to have very little control over your classes

Do get a life.

I love my job. It's why I'm one of the few still doing it after so many years. I do not like being abused. That doesn't make me unfit for the job, just a normal human being. And I'm sure what you're doing verges on going against @MNHQ guidance.

At no point have I said management are against me. The situation was mishandled. They later apologised.

I have more control over my classes than most. We're a school where supply refuse to work in and there's a reason for that.

Sure thing. Join the cushy ride.

Ignore the teacher-bathers, OP. They would not last a day in your job. You have my sympathy but unfortunately I don’t know how you get around this. Just look after yourself.

*bashers, not bathers!!

Are you any good at your job? How easy would it be to replace you?
They’re not going to sack you over a few days extra absence unless you’re handing them an excuse to.
Just ignore them.

I used to teach and would have very regular bouts of illness - I used to come down with something every 6 or so weeks. They didn't all necessitate time off, but some did and my score was high too.
I left teaching last year and, if it's any reassurance, my sickness record didn't impact me getting my new job at all. I didn't even get asked about it.

And to respond to any suggestion you might be too sickly to be a teacher 🙄 since leaving, I've been ill once, when I caught covid - from a conference full of teachers! I just worked from home and I haven't got a single day of sickness on my record.

It's a ridiculously archaic and non intuitive system, but in my own experience didn't impact getting a new role. I don't know what it would be like moving sideways into education though.