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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To phone boss on the weekend?

31 replies

Butterfr33 · 19/11/2017 12:32

DP is a teacher and currently ill with a bug. He took Friday off but is still not better and can't work tomorrow.

This is the first time in over 4 years I've seen DP ill so he must be feeling rough!

WHBU to phone his headteacher today to say he won't be in tomorrow, he wants to give as much notice as possible. If he waits until tomorrow to phone the school, no one will answer until 7:45 and that will leave people rushing around trying to find cover.

OP posts:
Lovestonap · 19/11/2017 12:34

Why are you phoning?

He's an adult, he can decide who he phones and when (except if at Death's door and unconscious etc)

LazyDailyMailJournos · 19/11/2017 12:35

Can you text instead? At least with a text it feels a bit less intrusive than a call - and you can explain you're doing so to give max. notice of his absence, plus offer and say that if HT needs to speak with him then he can call when he needs to.

MammyHester9116 · 19/11/2017 12:36

I have texted my head teacher in a Sunday when it was clear I wasn’t going to make it in on Monday. She was very appreciative as she could arrange cover ASAP.
Do it.

museumum · 19/11/2017 12:37

Yes. Definitely text or email if you know they get emails to their phone.

Sayyouwill · 19/11/2017 12:38

I would. Even if it was a text, something informal to give a head’s up then he can follow the correct procedure tomorrow morning (I’m assuming this is call in, speak to HT or similar to give notice).
Means that appropriate cover can be found in good time.
Although, the head would be a wally to not have anticipated this. If someone calls in sick I always assume they won’t be in for their next shift/day. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

WildBluebelles · 19/11/2017 12:38

Send a text- I mean your DH sends a text. I would be v unimpressed if someone got their wife to phone in sick for them unless they were in a coma or something.

Council · 19/11/2017 12:39

There's always one Lovestonap.

Op has asked if he should call today, not her and why on earth wouldn't she help out her poorly DH?

In his shoes I'd send a text today OP.

notacooldad · 19/11/2017 12:40

Why are you phoning?

He's an adult, he can decide who he phones and when (except if at Death's door and unconscious etc)

Oh bore off!

ScreamingValenta · 19/11/2017 12:40

Lovestonap - OP implied he would be phoning himself - WHBU to phone his headteacher ...

Hauntedlobster · 19/11/2017 12:41

Not unreasonable but he should phone not text as lots of absence policies stipulate this.

Cauliflowercheede · 19/11/2017 12:43

My school had a policy that teachers had to phone by 2pm the day before if they had already been off.

ilovesooty · 19/11/2017 12:45

He could text as long as he follows it up with the required procedure if that's a phone call from him in the morning.

However as long as the phones early tomorrow I don't see what the head would be putting in place today.

MyBrilliantDisguise · 19/11/2017 12:45

Not much point calling the school on a Sunday, though, Cauliflower. The OP is concerned about calling the Head at the weekend.

ilovesooty · 19/11/2017 12:46

Yes Cauliflower so did mine. I think it was designed to put pressure on people to return to work.

Cauliflowercheede · 19/11/2017 12:49

The policy would still be the same, if you’d already been off - like the DP was on friday- you have to call by 2pm to say you’ll be off the next day. You’d call the head on a Sunday, school the rest of the week.

HaHaHmm · 19/11/2017 12:50

Text or email, don’t phone. HT will appreciate the advance notice, esp if they have to book supply.

theabysswithin · 19/11/2017 12:52

I phone my boss all the time at weekends and vice versa. I wouldn't even question it.

I'm quite envious of those of you who give it a second thought tbh. The idea of being able to draw a line between work and home time is totally alien to me.

Rainbowcolours1 · 19/11/2017 12:58

I'm a head. I would expect a phone call if any member of staff was going to be off on a Monday. The sooner the better really. I don't mind if a partner phones.

kootoo123 · 19/11/2017 12:58

Id text or email just a quick. Heads up very unlikely ill be in tomorrow..
And then call in morning as per procedure. Im a teacher and have done this with my own head.

Original poster
Butterfr33 · 19/11/2017 13:02

Thanks all, DP phoned as it's states in the policy email is unacceptable. HT has asked DP to forward his plans and appreciates the notice.

OP posts:
Tupperwarelid · 19/11/2017 13:07

From the point of view of someone that has to book supply cover its always better to know the day before rather than in the morning.

FireCracker2 · 19/11/2017 13:15

I think a text would probably be best.

FitBitFanClub · 19/11/2017 13:16

He's ill. Should she really be expecting him to spend time formulating plans to send?

Original poster
Butterfr33 · 19/11/2017 13:20

@FitBitFanClub My thought exactly! Luckily he's done most of his planning!

OP posts:
HaHaHmm · 19/11/2017 13:21

Oh FitBit. I’m guessing you don’t work in education?!

It’s a standard expectation that a teacher absent for illness plans and sets work, and marks it on their return to work. If they are so ill that this is literally impossible then the head of department or phase leader sets the work.

We’re also expected to follow up on any behaviour incidents which occur in our classes in our absence.

It is often less work to go in. Parents can be assured that if your child’s teacher is off ill then they really are sick.

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