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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think 11.15pm is too late to send an e-mail that you expect to be acted on by 8am the next day?

48 replies

kickingking · 18/05/2011 20:52

I'm not, I am?

I'm a teacher. Unbeknown to me (because I was in bed..) I was sent an email at 11.15pm last night, telling me to change my planning in various ways, and that the head would be coming to observe me that morning.

He turned up that morning, and was suprised that I hadn't made the changes that were asked for.

I got up at 6am, dropped children at childcare at 7.30am and was in work at 8am. Out on playground duty at 8.40am after preparing resources, etc. When exactly did he think I was going to read the e-mail and make the changes (which I estimate would have taken me at least an hour, if not more)??

Angry
OP posts:
CurrySpice · 18/05/2011 20:54

Of course YANBU. Who sent the email? The head?

Original poster
kickingking · 18/05/2011 20:54

yes

OP posts:
cuttingpicassostoenails · 18/05/2011 20:55

The man is a prat of the first order.

cazzybabs · 18/05/2011 20:56

your union would be outraged at this btw

MavisEnderby · 18/05/2011 20:56

very unreasonable of him!

penguin73 · 18/05/2011 20:58

Of course YANBU. Our SLT do this all the time, normally requesting paperwork/info or bringing forward a deadline, to the point where it was raised as an issue with the Governors - little seems to have changed though so I don't have any answers for you I'm afraid but wanted to show some solidarity. Have one of these and try to put it out of your mind if you can. Brew

Original poster
kickingking · 18/05/2011 20:59

I know.

I can't comment on this further really, as I could out myself, but I'm pretty upset about this and other things.

I just wanted to get it off my chest.

OP posts:
johnthepong · 18/05/2011 20:59

YANBU

Also a teacher. When did you send him your lesson plan?

CurrySpice · 18/05/2011 20:59

How bloody ridiculous of him. Poor poor management Hmm

Original poster
kickingking · 18/05/2011 21:00

Sent planning on Monday. I don't work the beginning of the week.

OP posts:
IHeartKingThistle · 18/05/2011 21:03

I've never seen an AIBU who is being less U.

Idiot. (The head, I mean!)

Vallhala · 18/05/2011 21:04

YANBU. I'm often sending and receiving emails at 2 and 3 am - the nature of the charitable work I do means that it's essential sometimes and that many like-minded people are also up. Teachers aren't in the same position though, there is presumably neither precedent nor unspoken rule which could possibly suggest that there is a likelihood of you being up and on your pc at that hour.

If your union are to be, as was suggested above, "outraged" then they need to take a good hard look at their priorities but nonetheless there is nothing at all unreasonable about you calmly but firmly telling the Headmaster what a dick he is that you really cannot be expected to deal with emails at that hour.

Beamur · 18/05/2011 21:05

I'd have thought most people who have to be at work before 8am would be in bed by 11, certainly not looking at their computer in case there was a job they could squeeze in before some sleep!
Your Head is being totally U.

coastgirl · 18/05/2011 21:06

Ridiculous - for a start that's entirely outside of directed time, so he has no say on what you do in those hours.

Original poster
kickingking · 18/05/2011 21:07

I don't have a problem with e-mails being sent late at night (I often do it myself) but it was that it was expected to be acted upon by 8am that morning.

OP posts:
ChristinedePizan · 18/05/2011 21:08

What a complete twat. Unless you're paid £150k+ and have a blackberry provided to you by your place of work, no one should be expected to have read that

Pancakeflipper · 18/05/2011 21:11

YANBU
The emails I send to my colleagues late at night are done so for my convenience. Just cos I work out of 'office hours' doesn't mean they should be waiting for my words of wisdom. If it was so important they could have texted you to alert you that there's a detailed email about changing your lesson plan. But even then they should expect it to be pretty damn impossible for you to action everything.

hulababy · 18/05/2011 21:13

YANBU

PinkFondantFancy · 18/05/2011 21:17

YANBU that's a complete joke. Even if you did earn £150k+ and have a blackberry you'd still have to sleep at some point....... Where does he get off??

tethersend · 18/05/2011 21:18

Why did he need you to change your planning?

Does he always dictate what you teach in such detail?

Why was he observing you?

You are required to have at least three full school days' notice of an observation BTW.

IgnoringTheChildren · 18/05/2011 21:38

YANBU! Talk to your union representative - even if you don't want to make an issue about this you should ensure that you're "covering your back" in case future issues arise.

ilovesooty · 18/05/2011 21:39

YANBU.

Nevertheless I expect someone will be along soon to point out that because you get all those lovely long holidays you've no business going to bed at all. Wink

Hope you'll report it to your union.

Original poster
kickingking · 18/05/2011 21:41

tethersend - school in special measures, no notice observations at any time. Planning pulled apart and told to redo it at any time.

Yes, I know - the unions would have a field day.

OP posts:
tethersend · 18/05/2011 22:12

Are you a member of a union? Which one?

Any particular reason you haven't got in touch with them yet?

Do keep all emails the head sends you. IgnoringTheChildren makes a very good point. Your head is completely disregarding the Workload Agreement, and it sounds as if he may escalate his bullying tactics.

EightiesChick · 18/05/2011 22:15

YANBU. And definitely keep a record of this. Ridiculous. Email is often convenient if I am working out of office hours but I would never expect anyone to read anything after 6-7pm at the latest before the next morning.