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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would it be unreasonable to not accept work in these circumstances

149 replies

Notacs · 29/08/2014 20:01

I have a professional qualification.

I have the opportunity to work again (had a baby in April) very part time and temporary. Work when my qualification is recognised is about £120 per day.

But if my qualification is ignored I can be offered work at £60 per day. Would it be unreasonable to turn it down?

OP posts:
Original poster
Notacs · 29/08/2014 23:14

I'm being careful, that's all.

OP posts:
rollonthesummer · 29/08/2014 23:16

I just wish people would realise if you don't include some info it might be because you don't want people knowing it

but OP, it's sometimes absolutely impossible to answer a thread without more detail. As you can see by some very confused replies. The only replies that made any sense were from teachers-who recognised immediately what you meant-but you have slammed them down by saying agencies are your only option where you live. Having lived in lots of places-I find that difficult to believe and think you aren't seeing the big picture.

Do you want your DH to only see replies that say, 'of course you should turn down for for £60 a day'?!

sillymillyb · 29/08/2014 23:17

What would happen if he did see this! Would that be so bad? I understand why that you don't want to be identified, but people are asking questions to try and help you. That's all.

Bearbehind · 29/08/2014 23:19

If you feel the need to protect yourself from your husband seeing such an innocuous post I think you've bigger problems than how much you earn per day- try relationships.

ATruthUniversallyAcknowledged · 29/08/2014 23:19

Re supply, name change and then post in the staff room - lots log knowledgable people there.

Re the rest of your post, are you ok? Are you scared of dh? Your description of him stalking you is a bit worrying. Again, a name change and a post in relationships may be a good idea.

Original poster
Notacs · 29/08/2014 23:20

Rollon, honestly, the situation with my friend is definitely the case. I think it's really stupid (of the schools!) myself but I don't pretend to understand it. I know a lot of schools use an agency to actually organise permanent staff - the applications go to the agency to short list and organise.

It's stupid as if I was a head (god forbid haha!) I would consider staffing the ultimate priority and wouldn't entrust it to anybody else - but there you go!

In any case there's no way I could devote the time to approaching schools directly, myself, I haven't done any supply before and just want to keep my hand in really.

I really do apologise unequivocally for offence caused as I didn't want to but I just wanted to steer people away from questions.

Silly - he doesn't know I'm going back to work, is the issue.

OP posts:
Snapespotions · 29/08/2014 23:23

OP, I'm sorry but if had no idea what you were even asking in your first post, so wouldn't have been able to give you a straight yes/no answer. I'm afraid some of your responses have come across as being quite "arsey", but I accept that wasn't your intention.

I'm concerned that you're so worried about your DH stalking you on here and finding out that you're considering a return to work. I'm assuming that you won't want to discuss that on here, but that doesn't sound like a healthy relationship at all. :( I hope you have good RL support.

rollonthesummer · 29/08/2014 23:33

I'm concerned that you're so worried about your DH stalking you on here and finding out that you're considering a return to work. I'm assuming that you won't want to discuss that on here, but that doesn't sound like a healthy relationship at all.

Snap.

It's also worrying that you've posted this issue and one other-as you say, about baby names-that had to be deleted. That maybe says more about you than mumsnet, tbh. It really sounds like you're posting wanting responses with absolutely minimal information, and then getting stroppy when people need to clarify details. People just can't make informed decisions with no information, it's meaningless. V. few jobs have the sort of dilemma that you've posted, so people just don't understand unless they do that job.

For what it's worth, just because one teacher friend has to go through an agency, doesn't mean that every school within a 5 mile radius does. That really is most unusual.

Bearbehind · 29/08/2014 23:35

If you haven't told your husband something as fundamental as the fact you intend to go back to work then AIBU really isn't where you need to be posting and what you earn when you do go back is really the last thing you should be worrying about.

Cockadoodledooo · 29/08/2014 23:44

If you're anxious about a thread on an anonymous website are you really sure teaching's the career for you? Confused

And surely you'll discuss your return to work with dh? Though as others have said, his 'stalking' of you on here is worrying and unnatural.

Original poster
Notacs · 29/08/2014 23:46

I'm not sure at all but I did it for ten years reasonably well so I'm sure I'll manage :)

I'm aware of situation re DH, that's why I'm trying to earn a bit of money.

OP posts:
gingercat2 · 29/08/2014 23:46

I'm in a different profession but the same scenario could apply, and I would say definitely only accept work where you are paid in line with your qualifications. It's about realising what you have to offer and expecting appropriate remuneration.

Snapespotions · 29/08/2014 23:51

I'm aware of situation re DH, that's why I'm trying to earn a bit of money.

Fair enough, OP, I hope you manage to sort things out.

But presumably you will have to tell him about going back to work at some stage?

Hope you are ok.

Morloth · 29/08/2014 23:51

I think it is a bit worrying that you need to be 'careful' about your husband.

SoonToBeSix · 29/08/2014 23:56

Yes I would accept TA supply work my dh did . It doesn't mean you well get offered less teaching work you just get offered whatever positions your agency needs to fill.
I would work on your posting tone though , you do come across as a bit rude.

Viviennemary · 29/08/2014 23:57

It depends on hohow much of the higher level works is available. If it's few andfarbetween and you want to work to keep your hand in then take the lower paid. But if it comes up regularly and/or you can afford to wait then hold on for the higher rate.

But chances are if you keep refusing work then the agency might stop offering. You'll just have to play it by ear. Not a great help. But in view of your childcare expenses it might be reasonable to hold on. for the higher rate.

puddymuddles · 30/08/2014 00:03

Have you thought of becoming a private tutor? I have two young DC and find this fits around them very well. My DH is a teacher and has approached schools directly to do supply. it depends on the head really and how open they are to teachers approaching them directly - some schools prefer to avoid agencies if they can! I wouldn't take TA work if it would only leave me with around £20 per day. It depends on whether you are working to keep your hand in or really need the money. Does your DH want you to go back to work? My DH would never look at Mumsnet, he thinks it is all about nappies and arguments about formula feeding! Hope you are ok, sounds as if you need to chat to your DH about your plans..?

HoldenMcGroin · 30/08/2014 00:10

Okay blah blah aboot the job, hold out for higher rate BUT do log out of MN every single time and clear cache/cookies/history, quite important I feel

Original poster
Notacs · 30/08/2014 00:11

Thanks Holden

Will do Flowers

OP posts:
HoldenMcGroin · 30/08/2014 00:13

Set password to Don't Remember

Sorry for glum series of posts from moi

Charlesroi · 30/08/2014 01:07

I would hold out for the £120. That's probably what the agent is charging their client anyway. If they really twist your arm do it for £110.

Good luck!

MsAR · 30/08/2014 07:03

We have had so many supply teachers walk through our doors who just want to get paid and get out as soon as possible. If you are good, and I mean really good, then you will be in hot demand and heads should be asking for you specifically. It's a hard job going in and making a difference to that group of children for just one day and I can see why some seem a bit exhausted by it all. I disagree with the idea of Cover Supervisors but it looks like they're here to stay and schools will happily take on a more qualified person but pay them at CS HLTA rates if they can. If you as a supply teacher can offer a whole lot more than just looking after the class, then I think you'll be able to build up a good reputation and hold out for that £120 a day. Good luck!

bedraggledmumoftwo · 30/08/2014 07:10

No idea about the specifics, but if you have had to commit to 2days nursery surely you need to take whatever is offered-20£ profit instead of £40 loss if you pay for nursery and don't work at all?

Delphiniumsblue · 30/08/2014 07:22

I would cut out the agency and go to the school direct. Certainly don't work for the lower rate as a teacher. Lots of teachers work as TAs which is fine as long as they are doing the TAs job and not the teacher's job.

Delphiniumsblue · 30/08/2014 07:24

In short- say you will work as a teacher for the higher rate or a TA at the lower rate, but you are certainly not working as a teacher for the lower rate. That is exploitation!