Academic common room
Post-doc on strike - what about her teaching?
Fournickate · 29/01/2018 18:32
I'm after a bit of advice, please. I don't know much about the rules around UK strikes as I'm from abroad. I don't want to do the wrong thing.
One of my post-docs teaches workshops on a module I run. She's in UCU. I'm not.
The days of the strike coincide with days she's meant to be teaching for me.
What should I do?
Do I cover her classes? But this means no disruption, which I thought was the whole point of a strike.
Do I not cover her classes? But could I then be in trouble with the university because the students were left without a teacher even though I was technically available to cover?
Don't want to make a faux pas here or break any rules.
Thank you for any advice you may give 
weetabix07 · 30/01/2018 16:43
If I were you I'd weather the storm and cover if you aren't part of the union and therefore aren't planning to strike. The students will kick off and cause enduring headaches in the long run.
icetip · 30/01/2018 16:49
You're not in the UCU so you would not be protected if you went on strike. You are not required to cover the work, but there's nothing to stop you choosing to do so.
Fournickate · 31/01/2018 17:02
Hello
Thank you for your replies.
I would have been at home that day anyway as I have no classes or meetings those days.
My issue is that because it's my module and my post-doc just teaches on it for extra money and to get some teaching experience, it's technically my job to teach these classes (right?). So, if I do her classes for her, I'm not sure that technically counts as me covering her work because that work is her covering my work in the first place. What do you think?
Sorry about all the questions, this is all new to me
Deianira · 02/02/2018 16:17
If the teaching is on her contract, then you are not required to cover it for her - even if you are module convenor, that doesn't mean it's 'your' work if it's assigned to her via contract or workload model!
If it's technically (according to contract) your teaching and she covers it informally by an arrangement with you, then the responsibility would ultimately be yours.
BroccoliOnTheFloor · 02/02/2018 16:23
Can you, or ask her to, contact the union for advice? This question has come up on MN before. I think the answer is "do not cover", but it would be good to get confirmation from a union lawyer.
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