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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think we should be able to work from home?

72 replies

LongAndDarkDecember · 02/10/2021 06:22

We have an INSET day next week and although there is a meeting and a CPD session large chunks of the day will just be planning and assessment based.

AIBU to think we don’t actually need to be in school? (Am a teacher!)

OP posts:
chalamet · 02/10/2021 07:41

We did inset from home once. It’s the single wfh day I’ve had since I qualified last June. I wasn’t really a fan - I hate zoom stuff and if I’m in work I can do my marking etc in my friend’s classroom and it’s more enjoyable.
I guess they don’t want to set a precedent and like… does it really matter? It’s one day. Teaching has never been a job you do from home, including insets.

TheKeatingFive · 02/10/2021 07:45

They’d prefer you to come in 🤷‍♀️

dottiedodah · 02/10/2021 07:46

Maybe suggest it to them ?with ongoing fuel problems and so on .I am sure they should consider it at least surely. Others may feel the same as well

Original poster
LongAndDarkDecember · 02/10/2021 07:48

I think it does matter to be honest.

I don’t have any objection to the school being open to those who might want to go in. But so much of what we do in teaching is just to make a point, being there for the sake of being there. I remember working in a school where all staff had to stay for parents evenings, even if they didn’t teach that year group, for instance. (I don’t teach there now.)

We have a sign in app, and I’ve just looked at mine. Last week, I did 52 hours in school. That really surprised me, as I tend to get in at about 8 due to dropping DC at nursery at about 740, and I try to leave reasonably promptly for the same reason. I have also done a lot at home and I imagine most teachers will.

That’s not me moaning, before anyone starts - I like my job. But given how inflexible teaching is, it makes sense to me that where we CAN be flexible, we should be.

@echt Insisting teachers go in when we don’t have to as some sort of ‘revenge’ for closing during a pandemic and summer holidays was so stupid I just laughed!

OP posts:
Ploorfuzzle · 02/10/2021 07:48

If it can be done from home and it won't affect the day but not all being in in person then there should be the option to do it from home, why not.

Original poster
LongAndDarkDecember · 02/10/2021 07:49

I’m not convinced they would, @TheKeatingFive. I honestly suspect it hasn’t occurred to them. I could be wrong, of course. But last time we had a day like that I could easily have not gone in and no one would have noticed. (I am not suggesting I actually do this!)

OP posts:
MoiraNotRuby · 02/10/2021 07:52

As long as you get your work done I don't think it matters where you do it. If I was your boss I'd be fine with you working from home.

M0rT · 02/10/2021 07:52

Could you suggest it?
Sometimes people don't think of change and sometimes they fear it and get angry at any suggestion of it.
So maybe phrase it diplomatically around fuel/ environmental concerns.
If your SLT are reasonable it won't do any harm to suggest even if they don't agree with you.

Gizlotsmum · 02/10/2021 07:56

Have you asked them? If they genuinely haven’t considered it they might for future ones?

TheAntiGardener · 02/10/2021 08:00

Yanbu. You’re getting so many yabu replies because this whole topic makes a lot of people bristle. The same comments pop up on any thread about wfh, whether it’s someone wanting to do it once in a blue moon or a poster never wanting to set foot in an office before.

If you think it just hasn’t occurred to management, why not mention it?

TheAntiGardener · 02/10/2021 08:01

Again, not before!

worrybutterfly · 02/10/2021 08:03

I completely understand the school wanting you to be in for the 2 meetings/session. The dynamic of meetings completely changes when they are over zoom, there tends to be less participation and technical issues.

Therefore YABU to expect the whole day from home. But YWNBU to suggest that staff could go home after the meetings and continue to work from there.

TheKeatingFive · 02/10/2021 08:11

Just suggest it then.

Original poster
LongAndDarkDecember · 02/10/2021 08:15

I’m a lowly teacher so probably won’t have the courage to suggest it Smile

I could be reading you all wrong, @TheKeatingFive but you sound a bit hostile.

OP posts:
Groovee · 02/10/2021 08:20

We did ours at home last year. Meanwhile there was no time to sort resources etc and now things are a jumbled mess.

The first TEAMs was exciting but by the next one it just felt lonely and I had no idea what was expected of me (due to a further lockdown, not being in that team the previous year and feeling really isolated)

Why not suggest it?

MakeMeCleanTheHouse · 02/10/2021 08:28

I think all jobs should be assessed to see what can be done at home. It should take account of service delivery primarily (if not effective then no to WAH), has that person got a suitable private space (it's really not acceptable to have video calls in ear shot of others and you do need good IT), what impact will it have on social isolation and team dynamics (people living alone benefit from interaction in the office and most teams benefit from face to face)

Other than that I personally think WAH reduces cars on roads, eases parking issues, gives tired workers more time as not commuting (much better for families) and reduces need for workspace in buildings. I am far more successful, satisfied at home

chalamet · 02/10/2021 08:46

52 hours is pretty standard for teaching.

TheKeatingFive · 02/10/2021 08:48

but you sound a bit hostile.

Because I said you should suggest it?

Fellrunner85 · 02/10/2021 08:50

I think YABU, and don't seem to properly appreciate the difference in dynamics between face to face meetings and WFH.

I manage a team who divide their time between wfh and being in the office. I am not at all into presenteeism and have absolutely no issue with zoom/Teams meetings in most cases, but when it comes to training sessions or teambuilding then remote meetings just aren't as successful - the conversation is more stilted, it's difficult to pick up on nuance, it's more difficult for everyone to join in.. etc etc.
Teachers have also spent so much time at home over the past year or so that presumably your head will be well aware by now as to what works better at home and what doesn't. It's not like Teams/zoom will be an entirely new concept to them.
From your OP it sounds like you just don't want to go in, and see the day not as a proper training/planning day, but an opportunity for a bit of down time. If there are a few people in your staff who are thinking the same then it's entirely plausible that the head has picked up on this and wants you in, to encourage that participation aspect.

Original poster
LongAndDarkDecember · 02/10/2021 08:51

The hostility is coming from extremely short answers which ‘sound’ curt and abrupt in tone, especially when accompanied by 🤷🏼‍♀️ type emojis

In real life, if I asked a question you were in no way obliged to answer and you said ‘suggest it then’ with a bit exaggerated shrug I would think you sounded a bit hostile.

52 hours is standard in teaching

It’s more than that. 52 hours is the time I spent in the building. I’m not new to the profession and I know how much work it is. All the more reason that when we can cut down, we should, IMO.

OP posts:
Original poster
LongAndDarkDecember · 02/10/2021 08:53

I think to a certain extent it is planned as a ‘down day’ but that isn’t my decision.

The primary purpose of the day is planning and assessment, which can be done at home. The meeting doesn’t involve any teacher input - we will be listening to a power point. I genuinely don’t see how that can’t be done equally as well at home as in a hall.

OP posts:
MakeMeCleanTheHouse · 02/10/2021 08:54

All the more reason that when we can cut down, we should, IMO. Totally agree.

TheKeatingFive · 02/10/2021 09:03

In real life, if I asked a question you were in no way obliged to answer and you said ‘suggest it then’ with a bit exaggerated shrug I would think you sounded a bit hostile.

Well I’m honestly not sure what you’re looking for from this thread, if you don’t think it’s occurred to them, yet you don’t want to suggest it.

bumblingbovine49 · 02/10/2021 09:05

@LongAndDarkDecember

I think it just hasn’t occurred to them it could be an option. It is interesting how many think I’m being unreasonable, though. I don’t know why!
The reason so many are giving you a hard time is that lots if people seem to have an issue with the term WFH, it is like a red rag to a bull to them. I don't know why but my guess is they either haven't been allowed to do it so are jealous or they have done it and didn't like it. Either way they see the words / acronym WFH and just can't understand how it might be a good solution to something

It is a knee jerk reaction. To them - WFH = lazy entitled fucker who does nothing Hmm

Unfortunately you are also a teacher which on MN is a double whammy for being told you are lazy and good for nothing Hmm

Original poster
LongAndDarkDecember · 02/10/2021 09:21

Just thinking @TheKeatingFive

Why does that bother you?

OP posts: