Head of school I work for wants me to do cleaning to make up hours I can't do at mo

[babayjane67]

Hi all!
Sorry the titles bit long but couldn't think of a shorter one!
I work as a lunch time supervisor at my DDS school.we both went bk 3 wks ago as she's in yr6.i look after both her class bubbles,which is nearly the whole class of 29.
Anyway in normal times,I also do the breakfast club every day but obviously at the moment that's not possible.
When I went into work on Tues,the head caught me&said they're wanting to get everybody bk into school to make up for the hrs they're not working.one of the breakfast club girls is shielding so can't come bk but he's apparently talking to her about how it's going to work in September.
The other girl is coming bk on Mon being a lunch time supervisor for a new key worker kids bubble that will start.
He wants me to clean to make mine up.so all light switches,door handles,sinks in classrooms& toilets &all toilet seats throughout the school.desks too I think.
He said think about it&let me know tomorrow I'll come&find u.well he didn't though I did see him wandering round on Wed.i wasn't in yesterday as I've got a nasty ear infection at mo.we don't work Fridays as the kids only do half day so that a deep clean can be done of the school each week.
This morning I get an email detailing my cleaning schedule starting Mon&saying what equipment I will be using etc.not asking me if I wanna do it/have I thought about it&made a decision.no just this is yr schedule starting Mon let us know what side if the lunch time you want to do it.
I've got nothing against cleaning,I've been one as a job in the past.so I haven't got a problem with doing it as a job but I don't want to do it as fir a start I get asthma so that's why he said fir me to work with yr6 not the younger ones,as they can social distance better&they understand more.plus I really don't want to be cleaning their loo seats etc.Im not dealing with any little ones at mo in any capacity.ive got 2 GC the youngest being 4&I've had to keep away from them as he's got a low immune system as well as me with my asthma so I don't want to then be dealing with stuff like that where everyone sits,touches things&risk passing anything on.
My dp isn't happy about me doing either fir the same reasons&said he would have told the head no straight away!
I haven't replied to the email yet.
Aibu?

[Pinkdelight3]

"My job doesn't involve cleaning and like hell would I be cleaning toilets to make up hours."

It's not to make up hours so much as to get the cleaning done that is now essential and wasn't when everyone was hired to do their roles. Seriously, how do you expect things to continue to function with this kind of attitude? Do you think cleaning was part of the Head's duties? Course not, but if it doesn't happen, the schools can't open and the kids can't learn. That's where this kind of thinking take us.

[WeAllHaveWings]

Would you be able to do it with the appropriate PPE which should be provided? If you have tried and a mask isn't possible due to your asthma you could ask for and wear a screen visor. You will also have gloves so the risk of infection cleaning appropriately, if using PPE correctly, would be minute as you will be cleaning unoccupied areas with no particles in the air.

If you are still nervous about doing it, then you need to discuss with your HT urgently to see if they will offer any alternatives but be prepared that might be to accept reduced hours/wages. If you need the wages I would think about what you need to be able to do it, such as a visor, rather than refusing.

[KitKat1985]

I think YABU. I work in a hospital and (obviously) the hospital has still been cleaned throughout the pandemic - the cleaners etc are just wearing appropriate PPE and getting on with it. I think it's perfectly reasonable to request gloves etc to wear whilst doing the cleaning, but refusing to do it completely isn't. I don't think it's any higher risk than working directly with the children providing you do it sensibly. And many of us have had to accept changes to the way we work and our daily duties to get through covid19.

If you really decide not to do it then you need to be prepared to accept that you are unlikely to be paid for the hours you are not working.

[AnnaBanana333]

Seriously, how do you expect things to continue to function with this kind of attitude?

I expect my employer to appoint cleaners to do the cleaning.

I will pitch in with any reasonable duties. Cleaning toilets is not reasonable unless you're a cleaner.

[Dillydallyingthrough]

So you were a cleaner before but cant do it now due to your asthma? Has it recently developed?

And as long as you have gloves, mask a s have a RA done- where is the risk? Your more at risk from being with the kids IMO.

I would do it in your position, as others posters have said it will be remembered who pitched in and who didn't. This is not normal times, everyone is struggling and most places are asking employees to do things they wouldn't have previously.

[babayjane67]

Annabanana I usually wipe the tables when the kids have finished lunch.
We supervise in the hall&outside.we stack some of the chairs too to help the kitchen girls out. That's it.

[babayjane67]

The email says he's providing me with gloves, apron,sanitiser spray& cloth.also a check list to tick off when I've done it each time.

[ineedaholidaynow]

The headteacher at my local school is cleaning the toilets during the day. Budget is such that they can't afford additional cleaning bill. Can't imagine they thought that was on the job spec, also delivering food hampers to FSM families. Everyone in the school is mucking in.

[AnnaBanana333]

babayjane67 Well, I would say this is far enough from your normal duties that you should be able to refuse without being penalised. Most people seem to think it's reasonable for you to do it, though, so there might be consequences if you do refuse.

[Pinkdelight3]

"I expect my employer to appoint cleaners to do the cleaning."

Unfortunately in this case the employer is dealing with the reality of school budgets not a dream scenario.

[Maryann1975]

I know of headteachers who are going round there schools cleaning, I’d say it’s one of the most important jobs there is in public buildings at the moment. If it’s good enough for our local headteacher, it’s good enough for the staff at the breakfast club.
If you can afford to not be paid for the hours you aren’t working, Then it’s fine for you not to do the extra cleaning hours. But if you need the money, then do the hours.

[WorraLiberty]

If you can afford to not be paid for the hours you aren’t working, Then it’s fine for you not to do the extra cleaning hours. But if you need the money, then do the hours.

This ^^ exactly.

And if you really are worried about your asthma, get a risk assessment done.

[pigeon999]

I think you need to make an effort as well. I would do it and show some team spirit, we are all having to do much more cleaning, wherever you work.

[Happymum12345]

The teachers and TA’s are cleaning at my school.

[pigeon999]

Asthmatics has been confirmed as not being at risk unless they fall into a very severe category. This was made clear a while back. DD takes steroids and even that does not put her into the vulnerable category.

[Popc0rn]

I'm not being precious,as I said before I've had cleaning jobs.theres nothing wrong with that.I just dont see how whoever's been doing it fir the last 3 months can't continue seeing as I don't wanna be mixing with anything that the little ones have touched etc

So your main worry seems to be that you will be at a greater risk of catching covid if you have to clean other areas, rather than cleaning products aggravating your asthma?

If you are cleaning an empty classroom, the only risk of catching covid would be if you touched something contaminated and then touched your face. Wearing gloves and an apron is all the PPE you need. You could also get a face shield to remind you not to touch your face. Then just wash your hands thoroughly after you take your gloves off.

Do you wear any PPE around the kids in your bubble?

Have work given you a health risk assessment for your asthma?

I'm a nurse, and regularly cleaned "touch points" (bed rails, tables, door handles, lightswitches etc) throughout my shift pre covid. Everyone else is chipping in now too, admin staff etc. It's in everyone's interest to have an especially clean workplace right now, and until someone invents a magic cleaning fairy I bet a lot more people will be chipping in with cleaning for now.

[AnnaBanana333]

Pinkdelight3 I see that. I'm glad I don't have to work for an underfunded employer - I clearly wouldn't cut it!

[Furloughedpissedoff]

I'm finally going back to work on Monday. But when my boss phoned me, he basically said, I'll be doing very little of my Waterjet programming job, he needs me to do the production administration and maybe some production. I not a fan off either but my contract covers doing other rolls when needed. It's a small company and I'm just glad I have a job to go back too and I'll suck it up as its only temporary. School budgets are are always being slashed, remember the more your willing to do now, the less likely you'll be on the cut list later on. Believe me everything you don't, and do is noted.

[beachysandy81]

I think cleaning wearing PPE is probably safer than supervising children who could sneeze or cough near you.

[LaurieMarlow]

Cleaning toilets is not reasonable unless you're a cleaner.

I have friends who are GPs who are spending their time cleaning their surgeries.

People need to grow the fuck up and do what’s necessary. We all need to pitch in and not be precious.

[babayjane67]

Popcorn no I don't have to wear any PPE with the bubbles&have never had a risk assessment for my asthma.

[AnnaBanana333]

LaurieMarlow I think you need to learn some manners, so I suppose we're even.

[Mintychoc1]

I’m a GP and I have to clean my room between patients. It’s not in my job description. I don’t enjoy it. Shall I just not bother?

[FlaskMaster]

Accept it and keep your pay the same, or decline and say "thanks but no thanks, it's not my job and I don't fancy it, I'll temporarily drop my hours (and pay) and pick them back up when breakfast club starts again". Easy.

[Funnyface1]

It sounds like you just don't want to clean really.