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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Should I tell my job they need to be paying me more ?

47 replies

Usemyname123 · 12/02/2020 18:11

I was employed at a school as a cover supervisor in January. I also have a teaching qualification, and I have been covering a teacher for 3 weeks now.
The teacher in question has left without giving notice. Before me, they were bringing in different supply teachers every day (the teacher went off sick mid January) and when I entered the room, it was an absolute tip.
Even though she left in January, the teacher had not marked books or set homework since November.
The kids have been messed around and had no stability. I'm not saying I am some kind of saviour but I have cleaned the whole room, and I am effectively now their teacher at the moment.
No cover work is set by anyone so I plan and deliver all the lessons, mark and keep the books tidy.
I am aware that this is well over what a cover supervisor should be doing. I am paid less than £17,000 per year, and I am doing more than the 35 hours I'm paid for.
I'm not an NQT and luckily quite fast with planning and such, but I feel that the school are taking advantage.
I have not been told how long I will be covering for, I also think it's unfair on the kids as they are starting to get used to me and vice versa and they will be given yet another teacher.
2 other teachers have quit so there are effectively 3 jobs available in the dept. I have applied and hoping to get an interview.
Do you think I should talk to them about my salary ? I am only wary as I just started last month and don't want to start on bad terms with them.

OP posts:

LapsedVeganAcademic · 12/02/2020 18:51

Sounds to me as though they are utterly taking the piss, and my hunch is that they have no intention of paying you for having suddenly become a teacher. If you don't get one of the actual teaching posts you've applied for, I'd leave.

LapsedVeganAcademic · 12/02/2020 18:53

Ooops hang on - I phrased that badly. What I meant was, the school is probably very happy for you to take on unpaid the teaching duties for which you're qualified.

Original poster

Usemyname123 · 12/02/2020 18:53

I am tempted to, because there are literally 3 jobs available. The other people in the department have recommended me to the headmaster, I really hope I will but have to wait and see. I have not been told anything, I don't even know if the teacher in question is coming back but it's presumed as no.

OP posts:

Original poster

Usemyname123 · 12/02/2020 18:54

Yes, that's probably the case !

OP posts:

2020newme · 12/02/2020 18:57

What does your union rep say?

DarkDarkNight · 12/02/2020 19:07

They are being unreasonable for not arranging someone to set work and mark. YABU for doing the work without questioning it (I would probably do the same in your position as I am a complete walkover). Would you feel able t have a meeting and say from now on you will be working to your Job Description.

If you don’t get one of the Teacher roles I would seriously consider leaving as it would show a complete lack of respect for you and the work you’ve been doing. I hope they’re not cynical enough to think they can take on and pay 3 new Teachers while also keeping you to act as a quasi-Teacher when needed.

CatalogueUniverse · 12/02/2020 19:12

You could always have a discussion that you hope you have not overstepped by lesson planning as you are employed as a cover supervisor. Then ask if there are going to be lesson plans provided in the future.

If a blank look you could say that you understand it is difficult covering absence and you absolutely have the skills/qualifications/muck in attitude to help but a clear discussion on what is expected or not wanted would be useful for everyone.

Also why are there 3 posts? Anything to beware of apart from the disorganisation you’ve already seen.

Original poster

Usemyname123 · 12/02/2020 19:19

I am not in a union though maybe I should be, And I know I am being a walkover which is not good.
Including the teacher i'm covering for, 3 in total have quit since January. It's a challenging school and the other 2 who have quit are NQTs, it wasn't the school for them and maybe they didn't feel supported.

OP posts:

fartyface · 12/02/2020 19:19

I absolutely would. I'd ask for an honorarium to recognise work done and ongoing efforts.
Don't ask don't get.
I work on hr and people do this all the time

Original poster

Usemyname123 · 12/02/2020 19:21

The deadline was today for one of the jobs, the others have not yet been advertised as far as I know.
I don't even know if I will still be covering this teacher after half-term so don't know if I need to be planning or not.
It really would be a shame if they decide i'm only good enough to be this quasi-teacher as you say, as I have really helped the dept a lot.

OP posts:

CatalogueUniverse · 12/02/2020 19:30

Does the head of department actually know what you’ve been doing though? Or the head? They can’t recognise what you’ve been doing if they are unaware of it.

crimsonlake · 12/02/2020 19:31

Working with children...you need to join a union asap.

foxychox · 12/02/2020 19:35

Thank you for caring enough to do this for these kids OP...

Stephminx · 12/02/2020 19:36

I’d think of it as an extended job interview. If you don’t get it, move on. However I’d not rock the boat now unless the job interview won’t be resolved for a significant period of time.

Floooopy · 12/02/2020 19:41

WAIT...PLEASE THINK... Do you really want a job in this place where three people have left mid year and the SLT are happy to pay you so badly and take advantage of you?

You may feel that you do have a feel for the school and would be happy there, but so many people are leaving teaching and being in a school with bad leadership can utterly destroy you.

StripeyDeckchair · 12/02/2020 19:41

We pay an additional £10/hr for every lesson a CS covers as timetabled teacher and give the appropriate amount of PPA time.
Definitely asked to be paid.

Youngatheart76 · 12/02/2020 19:47

Arrange a meeting with the head, before half term. Ask to see your contract. Then point out all the things you're doing that aren't in there (e.g. marking and planning).
Then politely ask that they decide whether they want you to continue to work as a cover supivisor, in which case they will need to get someone to plan your lessons. Or they can employ you as supply at a teaching rate and you will be required to plan and Mark, talk to parents etc.
In some schools a deputy will take on the planning and assessment in these situations. It's not uncommon. Don't stress yourself out about the conversation. They've prob just not thought about how much you're doing.
Also if you are in a union talk to them to keep them aware.
If you're not in a union - join one now!
If conversation doesn't go well, ask union for advice or union rep at your school if there is one.

Original poster

Usemyname123 · 12/02/2020 19:51

Thank you for all the help. There is no head of department and hasn't been for a while now, it is possible the SLT don't know that I am doing the planning and marking.
The conversations sound a good idea, I will first see the outcome of the job applications.
Just feel awful for the kids, they keep asking me if I am their teacher for the year but I can't even give them an answer.

OP posts:

BoomBoomsCousin · 12/02/2020 19:55

I think you should approach whoever you are supposed to report to and say there is no cover work set. You've been doing it until now, but it's not really your role as you're currently employed so do they want to provide you with cover work or upgrade your contract to compensate you for the work they need you to do. Don't be petty about it, just say that for the money they are paying you really can't justify putting in work outside of the hours they are paying you for. If they say they can't afford it then maybe ask if they want to get someone else to set the cover work or should you just have the class read the textbook or whatever other activities you can do with a class without any prep.

This does run the risk of making you seem like a bit of a trouble maker and not as attractive to them in the teaching positions they have coming up. But only if they have really shitty leadership. And if that's the case, do you really want those jobs? There's also the risk that staying quiet makes them less likely to give you one of the permanent teaching jobs because you are a super cheap teaching cover and they won't want to lose access to that. You can't tell how those sorts of things will play out, but it's generally a good idea to respect yourself and assert yourself in a calm but reasonable way.

1234512345Meh · 12/02/2020 20:03

When might you get an interview? If it’s soon, I’d hold out the salary conversation until they offer you a job as your going the extra mile will surely hold some weight. It’s also something you can allude to at interview to show your commitment to the school and the students.

If they don’t offer you, then negotiate your current deal and leave if the outcome isn’t satisfactory.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 12/02/2020 20:09

I am not in a union though maybe I should be

In the nicest possible way, OP, you must be absolutely mad ... who do you think is going to speak up for you if anything happens to one of those children while they're in your underpaid care?

Frankly the school sounds absolute chaos and not somewhere I'd want to work anyway, but as long as you're there I recommend shrugging off the martyrdom and clarifying your position without delay

bridgetreilly · 12/02/2020 21:08

I am not in a union though maybe I should be

You ABSOLUTELY should be. You need the legal protection. You don't have to be in a politicised union. But you shouldn't be in a classroom without it.

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