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 .

Sunflower - fear of covid !

You sound quite angry. I know that many of my colleagues who did decide not to do the in school kids were really conflicted and upset by it. One of my colleagues is much older and has clinical vulnerabilities. She could have been working for home throughout the whole pandemic but only made this decision when cases went through the roof in this latest phase. You need to grasp that this is a very personal and individual decision. Getting a medal and a pat on the back for going in will mean fuck all if you are unfortunate enough to be admitted to ICU or lose your life to this disease. Make your own decision and leave your colleague alone!

@ConsuelaHammockHow old is this person ?

Typical of an older male primary teacher: does the minimum and the women on the staff pick up the slack, with many of them juggling childcare at the same time.

@ConsuelaHammock

Sunflower - fear of covid !

In other words, you're bitter because your colleague has a reason for not working in school.

He won't have received a doctors' note because he's 'scared'. There will be a lot more to it in than that.

FFS, grow up and get over yourself.
FWIW, firstly, welcome to Mumsnet, and secondly, just in case you do actually work in a school, I'm very grateful it's not mine.

Ten years younger than me and about 22 years younger than the oldest member of the teaching staff !
I AM angry because said colleague always takes the piss and everyone is too nice to say anything . The last couple of weeks are the first time I’ve ever heard anyone being bitchy about them. If they worked in the private sector they’d have been fired years ago . Good to know I wouldn’t be unreasonable to take the same stance !

@PamDenick

Typical of an older male primary teacher: does the minimum and the women on the staff pick up the slack, with many of them juggling childcare at the same time.

Nasty generalisation.

Late 30’s so not old at all

Did you miss my posts???

@parrotonmyshoulder

Probably a lot more to it that you know about. Best to just get on with your own work really.

Quite.

How would you have access to their private medical information? You have no idea why they aren't in school.

I'm a primary teacher. I'm vulnerable but not shielding. I asked my HT if at all possible could I not work with the children (Yr 1, so not much social distancing), or could I be assigned to one class, I don't have my own class this year & was working with all 90 Yr 1 chn. HT let me be non contact. I spent the first day working alone in a break out area, & HT told me to wfh after that. We are a large staff, only a couple of close friends know why I'm vulnerable. I do feel guilty as my colleagues are nearly all in their normal hours, only a handful of staff are wfh all of the time. Our HT has said if he can keep people at home he will. We have a third of our chn in so that's not easy, but all teachers get time out of class to make videos & respond to work. I'm at my desk in my dining room for 7.30 & am busy all day. I'd hate other colleagues to think I was shirking. I'm very lucky to work in a very supportive school.
You don't know the reasons your colleague is wfh or the arrangements they have made with your HT. And 2bh, its not your business so you don't need to know

@mineofuselessinformation

Did you miss my posts???

They’re very selective of the posts they reply to... can’t imagine why

Honestly I feel the same about a colleague Too, we are all having to pick up his classes because he’s not doing anything. If I genuinely thought he was ill I’d have no problem pitching in but he has been nothing but work shy and lazy since he started, before the pandemic.
You really see true colours of people under pressure, those of us who pitch in and work hard and think of the kids and the school and our colleagues, and those who are selfish bastards.

Long Covid is unbelievably debilitating. It has ensured formerly very fit people are unable to do every day simple tasks like climbing stairs without resting for several hours after. Some can manage some work but experience a lot of pain but not constantly. It’s similar to the effects of ME or MS. Sometimes you are fine for an hour or two sometimes you can’t move. Hopefully they will recover eventually. I know a couple of people who still have this who were ill for a short period (a week maybe) way back at the start of the first lockdown in March 2020.
It’s just possible that your colleague is experiencing this.

@lyralalala it's not difficult to see what's going in here is it?
It's the typical 'light the blue touch paper then retire' kind of thread.....

@ConsuelaHammock

Ten years younger than me and about 22 years younger than the oldest member of the teaching staff ! I AM angry because said colleague always takes the piss and everyone is too nice to say anything . The last couple of weeks are the first time I’ve ever heard anyone being bitchy about them. If they worked in the private sector they’d have been fired years ago . Good to know I wouldn’t be unreasonable to take the same stance !

Age has nothing to do with vulnerability there are 5yo children who have to shield.

If you're struggling, address it with your head or with your GP. But your colleagues' health issues are nothing to do with you - the same goes for his attendance.

His productivity etc. is for his boss to sort out and deal with - not you.

With respect, you have no way of actually knowing your colleague's circumstances. There might be medical issues that he doesn't wish to share. Or family circumstances.

If you feel that it is unfair, by all means, raise your concerns with the HT, but don't expect them to explain why they're allowing this, because they won't be able to divulge any personal details. Be mindful, too, that you will essentially be questioning their judgement in allowing your colleague to stay at home - there might be very good reasons of which you are not aware, but you will be making it clear that you don't trust the HT to manage the situation fairly.

@sunflowersandbuttercups, I suspect you are speaking to yourself here.
If OP does actually come back, in all likelihood they won't answer you.

Mine - did you say something other than “ mind own business “?
Moocow - this colleague has always been quite workshy, does the bare minimum and regularly
leaves school before 4pm. Has refused to take part in online teaching lessons for his class via zoom because it’s unsafe. His own child is allowed to attend zoom classes so a tad hypocritical.

Not sure why you think it's any of your business.

Do I have to reply to everyone ? I’m new to this !

@ConsuelaHammock, if you actually bothered to read, I said quite a lot more than that! 🤣

Sunflowers - colleague is not shielding . They were working from sept - Dec so I doubt they have long covid .

Mustn’t have noticed it . My apologies!