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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that I should have requested a salary negotiation ?

33 replies

Username109876 · 28/02/2020 21:10

I have been working for 2 months in a role, which I enjoy. One of the colleagues has left and I have been asked to do her role on a 6-month basis.
I said I was happy to do this role, however it has much more responsibility, and pays £8,000 a year more than my role.

I think it would be unfair if I were expected to do this role for 6 months whilst still being paid at the rate for my old role, and so I have requested a salary negotiation.

Do you think I was right to ask ? Would you accept to do the new job on the old salary ?

OP posts:
Original poster
Username109876 · 28/02/2020 21:12

I don't have a new contract or anything as of yet, I have just been told verbally that I would be taking over her job.
I was given the choice of whether to accept it or not.

OP posts:
AlwaysCheddar · 28/02/2020 21:20

You should get an acting up allowance for 6 months.

Havingalieinisfab · 28/02/2020 21:21

I would request a meeting to discuss the requirements, agree and establish the extra responsibilities for the role then negotiate an allowance for the duration of the secondment. You could agree to provide support during the period of absence, with recruitment and induction for the new recruit. You’ll gain experience and hopefully an uplift in salary and they will have a safe pair of hands during a difficult period of time.

Original poster
Username109876 · 28/02/2020 21:23

Thank you for the replies, I had not heard of an acting allowance until now.
I am paid as a Cover Supervisor (less than £17000 a year) and will be doing a full-time teaching timetable, will be planning everything, marking, data, assesssments etc. When an NQT starts on £24,373.

I really hope they will accept to give me some sort of allowance.

OP posts:
Original poster
Username109876 · 28/02/2020 21:24

I am also a qualified teacher in the subject I am covering.

OP posts:
Butterymuffin · 28/02/2020 21:34

They can't just tell you you have to do it. Ask for an acting up allowance as mentioned. They are common.

Original poster
Username109876 · 28/02/2020 21:42

I had the choice to say that I did not want to do it, but I will definitely ask for the allowance. I feel like they will say no though to be honest.

OP posts:
Travis1 · 28/02/2020 21:43

If they didn’t give an allowance/extra salary then I wouldn’t do it. Let them hire supply teachers instead.

Original poster
Username109876 · 28/02/2020 21:59

Yeah i will have to say no if they dont, otherwise I will just end up resenting them.

OP posts:
Original poster
Username109876 · 28/02/2020 22:04

Can I ask why somebody voted me YABU ? Would you work for £8,000 less ?

OP posts:
Winnipegdreamer · 28/02/2020 22:29

OH did this recently. They weren’t planning on paying him any more, but he asked and they did

Allmyfavouritepeople · 28/02/2020 22:32

If they are hiring you to work as a teacher and you are a qualified teacher then you should get paid as a qualified teacher.

Wouldn't have thought you would need to negotiate on this!

Sunshineand · 28/02/2020 22:37

Who on earth is voting YABU? Maybe your employers are on this thread Hmm

Butterymuffin · 29/02/2020 10:25

If they say no, though, they'll have to get someone else to do it and that will cost them money. It would be more cost effective for you to do it, they're just hoping to get you for as little as possible, ideally nothing! Stay polite but resolute and stick to the line that you can't take on extra duties for no extra pay. If they say 'there's no budget' or similar, don't cave, just say that's a pity and you will leave it to them to work out how the duties can be covered.

thickwoollytights · 29/02/2020 10:34

You could look at it that you'd be getting the extra experience for your CV. Then you could leave and get a job elsewhere. It's a thought Confused

lanthanum · 29/02/2020 11:21

Definitely ask for teacher pay while you are doing a teacher's job. They can do that on a temporary basis for the rest of the year if you'll be returning to cover supervisor in September. If they want a teacher, they should pay a teacher; if they pay a cover supervisor, then the best they can expect is that you supervise with added subject expertise.

Hopefully your current contract makes it clear where the responsibilities of a cover supervisor end, so that if they say no and you end up supervising these classes, you don't get sucked into doing most of the teaching job.

Original poster
Username109876 · 02/03/2020 18:44

So I have asked and it's a no. Apparently I should only be covering and not planning, so there is 'no change'. However I am planning and marking. I emailed saying that nobody is settling cover work for me so I'm doing it, and no reply.
I think I will do the minimum and not work outside of my paid hours. Because i'm now a teacher on £8,000 less than an NQT.

OP posts:
Largeyellowdaffodil · 02/03/2020 18:47

Primary? Secondary?
Academy?

Original poster
Username109876 · 02/03/2020 18:48

Secondary Academy

OP posts:
Largeyellowdaffodil · 02/03/2020 19:03

Secondary Academy

Nothing legally preventing it then.
Are you in a teaching union?

Tarararara · 02/03/2020 19:10

Can you say that having given it consideration, you do not wish to cover the role? It was presented to you as a choice originally....

I wouldn't do what you are proposing. You will resent them for it and will feel you are (will be?) shortchanging the children.

Original poster
Username109876 · 02/03/2020 19:11

I guess I could yes. I would just feel bad on the kids as they are used to me now and would have to get used to yet another teacher.
I suppose as i'm still in my trial period too I felt like I couldn't really say no.

OP posts:
Original poster
Username109876 · 02/03/2020 19:12

I will just try to see it as useful experience.

OP posts:
ElderAve · 02/03/2020 19:15

If it's a LA school they can't pay you as a teacher if you're not qualified but they can certainly offer you "something" for acting up.

Academies can do what they like, so it's down to what you can negotiate.

ElderAve · 02/03/2020 19:17

That said, outside of schools I have often taken on extra responsibility without extra pay for the experience and to strengthen my CV, so be careful not to cut your nose off to spite your face.