Colleague won’t supervise classes

[ConsuelaHammock]

I work in a primary school . One of the teachers won’t come in to supervise key workers’ children. Most of the staff are in one day a week atm with smt being in 2 days .
The teacher in question thinks they had covid last Easter. There is no record of a positive test This colleague has mentioned that their gp has recommended they “work from home if possible”.
as they felt a little tired over the Christmas break . Aibu to think that they are taking the piss?
Colleague has form for taking off with the slightest sniffle .

@ConsuelaHammock

So anyone can decide not to come in to work if they don’t want to ?

They are coming in, in a way that they’ve clearly discussed and agreed with their boss...

OP what business is it of yours if they don’t feel comfortable being in? I’d hazard a guess and say absolutely none of yours.

Why don't you just ask the HT if anyone can choose to WFH?

It is unfair, yes but how is getting irate about it going to change anything? Mention the unfairness, double standard to the head and then leave them to manage the situation. You can't drag them into work.

It isn’t remotely my business. I’ll admit that . What happens if no one feels comfortable being in ? Can I use this as a reason to stay at home too? This person isn’t shielding , they just don’t want to do it . They have two adults at home with their children while some colleagues are really struggling .

If there was more to it, then they should get a note from the doctor. Everyone should be WFH, “if possible”. I’d be annoyed unless they’re officially signed off.

Skiving for sure - maybe a favourite of the SLT so getting away with it? Not fair to everyone else but not a lot you can do.

Would it be unreasonable to mention the unfairness of the situation to the headteacher ?

Maybe you should tell the head teacher its causing resentment? Any headteacher knows that is code for this teacher is taking the absolute piss deal with it

"Everyone should work from home if possible"

agreed

but they are teachers therfore it isn't possible

@ConsuelaHammock

Sunflowers - but they’re not shielding ! Why should they be able to opt out of working in a classroom with at most 3/4 children when the other teachers just have to suck it up. Is being afraid of catching something now a valid reason for a doctor’s letter ?

That's unfair.

Her health issues are none of your business. She may not be shielding but she may have other issues that she doesn't feel comfortable telling other people about. If the headteacher is happy for her to work in this way, then that's all that matters.

It's not her fault other teachers are struggling, nor is it her responsibility to make it better for them.

I’m completely onboard with working from home when possible . It’s just that when it’s not possible then everyone should be pulling their weight . And being scared of covid isn’t a valid excuse imo when everyone is bloody scared of bringing it home !

lockeddownandcrazy

Skiving for sure

Ridiculous statement! How the hell do you know? We’re not going to list the multitude of reasons why the teacher might not be in school supervising 1 day a week. But anyone with an ounce of imagination could think of hundreds. If there are enough people doing it, stop worrying.
The individual could have been given all sorts of different responsibilities to manage from home, that OP (TA or teacher?) wouldn’t ever even know about.

@ConsuelaHammock

Would it be unreasonable to mention the unfairness of the situation to the headteacher ?

You can speak to the headteacher if you like, but if this colleague has genuine medical reasons not to be in contact with others, what do you expect them to do about it?

How can you possibly know what the reasons are?

I had a lighter timetable for a while due to feeling suicidal and had to put up with colleagues bitching about it.

If he's not complying with his terms of employment then management will deal with it. Other staff feeling obliged to come in when they perhaps shouldn't is not his issue.

If they were infected last April there wont be any record of a test because testing wasnt available to most people at that time.If they were very ill, or ill for a long time, or if someone in their immediate family was, they may be understandably terrified by the thought of a second infection. I certainly was.

We’re all in school everyday with 15-20 pupils in a room so I am definitely feeling a little unsympathetic. We have a couple of teachers shielding but they are at home all the time.

Maybe coping with mental health issues? His or his partner's?

I couldn’t hack this. It’s not fair in my school either (some in 100%, some off 100%, those of us in had no choice and vulnerability hasn’t always come into it).

There probably is more than you know, I think I would just be telling myself this even if it wasn’t true!!!

It is none of your business. Your colleague has the right to decide that they do not wish to risk their health by working face to face with pupils. There should be plenty of work available that needs to be done from home. If you feel similarly, have the guts to say this to the headteacher rather than snipe at others who have this view. I really dislike this. I work with several members of staff who were not prepared to come in; we all as a staff understand their position. The rest of us cover the in school children whilst those at home are equally bust supporting the online learning. Your school sounds nasty and unsupportive.

It's fair to guess that there's more to this than you're aware of.
If there's not, perhaps your colleague simply wants to limit her chances of getting a potentially fatal virus?
If this is her reason for her unwillingness to supervise I don't blame her, and nor would I blame you if you made the same decision.

Not really appropriate to post it on here is it? Why don’t you discuss with your manager/ the HT.

It's a good idea to mention it to your head teacher.
You'll be giving them a heads-up as to the fact that you clearly feel you're in a better position to judge whether or not someone should be in contact with students than senior management are....
There is clearly a good reason why they are coming in, but not exposing themselves to others. You just haven't been told, because it's not your business.
Meantime, yes, do keep gossiping with your other colleagues about them, because of course, you all know better than the people who actually decide who is allowed to WFH.

@ConsuelaHammock

Would it be unreasonable to mention the unfairness of the situation to the headteacher ?

Yes. Because you have no idea if it’s unfair.

If you are struggling speak to your HT.

If your colleagues are struggling they should speak to your HT.

The reasons a colleague is working as they are after they spoke to their boss is none of your business and you should stop making assumptions and judgements on their situation.

If you are happy with your work situation then don’t worry about it. If you aren’t happy with your work situation then try to change it. There are loads of people in the world who have a better life than you and probably more who have a worse one.