To continue going out on weekdays?

[Alwayswatched]

For context:
I am a teacher in a fair size city primary. I don’t live in the city but not far out (around 10 miles). I am in school 1.5 days a week and my DS (3) goes to nursery and wfh the rest of the time.

I am on my own with DS. Whilst wfh, most work is done before DS wakes up, when he is napping and after he goes to bed. Having said that, I do manage to respond to emails and calls whilst he is playing or watching TV. I work during the evenings at the weekend to catch up on anything I need to.

I take DS to the sea front every lunch time whilst at home. It’s within walking distance and that exercise is good for inducing a longer afternoon nap! He takes his bike or scooter and we’re normally out anywhere between 40 mins and 1.5 hours.

Yesterday evening I was told that a parent had been in touch with the school because they regularly see me out on a weekday. They are concerned about the impact of this on their child’s education. It has been advised that I stop our lunch time walk during the working week and stay at my computer. (Might be worth noting that I take any important calls and emails on my phone whilst on the walk.)

It is perfectly accepted amongst colleagues that those homeschooling older children have erratic work patterns and that’s fine. What’s not fine is erratic work patterns as someone on their own working around a toddler’s routine.

I feel self conscious going out now and feel like I’m being watched constantly. Before going into teaching I took a walk during my lunch every day so maybe that’s why I perhaps wrongly feel it’s acceptable!

AIBU to go out for a lunch time walk during a working week day?

I am so sorry that your 'management' have taken this line. In management, It's such a mistake to not take every opportunity to show your team that you have their back.

It would be fair enough if you had been told about the 'complaint' in a 'what will they think of next' way but to suggest you pander is wrong as an approach and very damaging to your relationship with the HT and that school.

I would think about how to raise this, without dwelling what a hard time you are having. Absolutely focus on the flexibility you are showing and how important it is that you also take time for your mental health.

Enjoy your walks with your child. Don't let this spoil that.

Highly advise you to contact your union if the school persist in their wholly unreasonable requests.

I am so sorry that your 'management' have taken this line. In management, It's such a mistake to not take every opportunity to show your team that you have their back.

My head and deputy would have made it quite clear to the parent that they were not entertaining their complaint at all. When they email, they always say things like 'hope you are all managing to enjoy the sunshine', because they appreciate we are all doing our best to manage in difficult times.

How cheeky of this person to report 😡

OP. I hope that the HT made this request in writing? If not, I'd email and seek clarity . If HT reiterates this completely absurd request, challenge it (in writing).
If this fails, you really need to take it to your union or challenge it formally.
This is utter insanity!

Hi OP,
I think the complaint is outrageous!!

I think your head should have dealt with it by telling the parent complaining that unfortunately it is easier to see when teachers are popping to the beach for an hour than it is to see when they are working their evenings and weekends which they have to do regularly and that if teachers decided to “work to rule” it would be the school and pupils that were the losers. I guess they would have to resist telling them to “get a life” as that would be unprofessional (but deserved).

Our school expects teachers to be immediately responsive/available to parents between 9-12 and 1-3pm. Have been told not to respond outside these hours.

Some people are mean spirited.

So you're expected to sit at home the whole day with a young child without leaving the house for a lunch time walk?

Sod that. Completely unreasonable.

Continue walking. Absolutely vital for you and your child's physical and mental welfare.

Hi think it would be good to challenge the response rather than ignore it. I’d include the points:

• is this a complaint about my effectiveness/response times or just the way I am managing my time?
• If the latter, then note I am working more flexibly including during weekends and evenings to ensure that my work is completed to the standard expected.
• my lunch hour is my free time.
• a walk during lunch is exercise for my toddler, which helps them to nap in the afternoon, enabling me to focus on my work duties more effectively.

I’m shocked the school passed on the comments, it’s a SMT failure in my view.

You have a choice, continue the walks, benefit from the longer pm nap and better mental and physical health.
OR
Stop the walk, physical and mental health decline and your afternoon work rate will also suffer as nap time is shortened.

I would point out the 2 scenarios to school. Have you worked out who the parent is? If you have a I would be tempted to say something next time you see them!

Please don’t change what you are doing, it really is a good compromise and everyone benefits from what you are doing.

You have the right to unpaid parental leave for childcare.

Ask HT - pointedly - if they're happy for you to reduce your hours and work capacity to deal with essential childcare during this time or would they prefer you continue to work flexibly.

Please CC in your union to any communications.

That bout of fresh air keeps us sane! I love DS so, so much, but I also love the 2 hours of silent adult work I get after our walks. It’s difficult after being on our own with no extended family contact for months so I think I let yesterday evening get to me more than I normally would have.

This is totally understandable and why it was so outrageous for your HT to pass on such a ludicrous complaint to someone in your position.

Ffs. You are entitled to a lunch break.
Teachers and TAs at school I have been involved with often go out for their lunch, during which time they are rightly so not able to be contacted. As a previous poster said maybe you should say that you will no longer be working evenings or before school hours AND you are still entitled to your lunch.
I know you can't do this but now I no longer work full time here is a little message for the idiot parent and your unreasonable school.
"Fuck off and mind your own business."
You are doing a great job and looking after the welfare of yourself and your child.
Sod them 💐

How bloody petty of that parent, they should be ashamed! My kids work every day 12-2 but other kids have different schedules! If they ask their teacher something they are stuck with and they don't get back to us straightaway it's no issue at all we just move onto something else! We've had reply emails from teachers at 6.30am or 9.30pm. Honest to god, some people boil my piss!

YANBU but I agree with pp keep your backside covered and only go out for an hour.

I think they are being ridiculous. If they saw you out walking does that mean they were also out and not at home facilitating their childs education?

I am also a teacher and am working life you, early mornings, lunch time when the kids are quiet and the evenings to keep on top of things.
Ignore them!

CONTACT YOUR UNION IMMEDIATELY

I'm a teacher working from home and we have a time sheet to feel in each day that included one hour of exercise a day (any time).

It's a government guideline and you are entitled to a break.

I would continue with your daily walk for both you and your child's mental and physical health.

*fill

Are you not entitled to a lunch break as you would be in any job so you should be allowed on your walk as that is your lunch break

What do you think ‘normal working hours’ are for a teacher? Because I can assure you that they’re not 9am to 3pm. The OP makes it clear that she’s getting her work done, at flexible times that suit her and her family.

I am completely aware what teachers working hours are thanks seeing as I work in a school....some schools tho have taken the view of you are working at home atm then you should be working normal hours....so for TAs hours set in contract and teachers it would be hours you normal work when at at school which include school hours obviously

The OP is working during the evenings, so surely is entitled to a longer lunch break if she needs it!

But she's working evenings to make up work hours she struggles to complete in the day....taking longer lunch breaks means having to work more in the evenings

And before anyone starts with the whole stop being against teachers....
I am TA currently working from home because of lack of childcare....so trying to do enough work to keep my school happy while trying to homeschool and entertain three kids (11,9 and 4) all by myself....so I know how tough it is....my schools view is that homeworkers should be working their "normal" hours

Being too rigid about "usual work hours" around being the sole childcare for a toddler could potentially be a safeguarding issue if you are prioritising work over their needs. As long as pupils have their work sent out in a timely fashion, it makes not a jot of practical difference what time the work is done.

Burning toddlers out at the right time of day makes a massive difference to productivity. When my DCs were young, my planning and marking were arranged around the DCs' needs and timings.

I'm not surprised SMT have been daft enough not to put the parent straight. I had several occasionsin different schools of management chasing me up because I upheld and enforced their policies about things like coats in the classroom or non-uniform clothing

You need that time for you and your son, how horrible of that person to have reported you.

Amy85 as a TA or teacher you are entitled to breaks so a midday walk would be during a break and therefore fit your normal work hour scenario.