To lie and say I’m ill?

[WouldYouLieOrNot]

My work has no flexibility at all. If you need an appointment for something and it’s only available in working hours you just get told no.

I have been offered a medical appointment on a week day at a time I’d normally be in work. Considering just lying and saying I’m ill. Wondered what others would do.

Why do teachers on here act as though there's absolutely no alternative that doing what batshit bosses tell them?

Of course you have options.

If you have medical appointments just tell them. Don't ask.

Call in sick for the appointment.

Yeah … I remember That Thread @girlmom21 and I’m not convinced you’ve ever worked if you seriously think you can just walk out of a workplace 😂

Are you part time or full time? If part time then it's very reasonable for them to expect you to book appointments on your days off.

If you're a teacher then can you not book the appointment for before or after the school day? Do they not have 4pm onwards appointments?

Full time. That’s exactly what they’d say - book it for after school, but I just can’t get an appointment for after 4.

@WouldYouLieOrNot

Yeah … I remember That Thread *@girlmom21* and I’m not convinced you’ve ever worked if you seriously think you can just walk out of a workplace 😂

I'm guessing that one was yours too? Ive worked in plenty of places and they all treat their staff like adults because their staff act like adults.

Based on you being a teacher I'd 100% say call in sick.

So teachers are childish pushovers, @girlmom21. Hope you’re homeschooling the children, then.

Can you schedule it for the morning then call up and just say you can't make it in til 11 or whatever. Not much they can do at the time point. This is Alien to me though working in a school our business manager will bend over backwards to make sure everyone has a work life balance and can get to appointments etc. Are you secondary?

There unfortunately isn't any statutory obligation to allow you time off for medical appointments. It stinks but the school can refuse.

@girlmom21 The problem with teaching is that the children don't just sit and wait for the teacher to return, like a pile of papers on a desk would.
OP, does your school operate the Burgundy Book?

@girlmom21

Why do teachers on here act as though there's absolutely no alternative that doing what batshit bosses tell them?

Of course you have options.

If you have medical appointments just tell them. Don't ask.

Perhaps you should confine your comments to situations you actually know something about.

@girlmom21

Why do teachers on here act as though there's absolutely no alternative that doing what batshit bosses tell them?

Of course you have options.

If you have medical appointments just tell them. Don't ask.

Because management can easily make your life a living hell.

@WouldYouLieOrNot if that last one was your thread, you insisted you would never lie to be able to take time off.

My kids aren't at school yet but my friends and siblings who are teachers take time off for medical appointments (and funerals)

Secondary, yeah.

Thanks, @ilovesooty. I don’t mean to sound horrible here but it might be helpful if people didn’t say things are illegal unless they know that for definite. I could have made a complete arse of myself.

I said I remembered that thread @girlmom21 not that it was my thread. Tbh, I think a few people remember it and remember you on it. You may wish to think about why that is the case. But I’ve had a whiff of Goad about your posts for some time now. Not worth responding to.

@WouldYouLieOrNot

I said I remembered that thread *@girlmom21* not that it was my thread. Tbh, I think a few people remember it and remember you on it. You may wish to think about why that is the case. But I’ve had a whiff of Goad about your posts for some time now. Not worth responding to.

I'm not being goady. I find it strange that all the teachers on Mumsnet can never have any time off for any reason but back in the real world it's not as issue.

It depends on the school, @girlmom21. They are different countries in terms of policies, attitudes and general ethos. I’ve worked in schools where I’ve had time off to take a cat to the vet and schools like my current one where even a medical appointment is a flat No - do it in holidays / after school.

So yes, I’m sure your friends do get time off, but this isn’t the case for every school. And even schools that were previously nice can change very suddenly and dramatically.

It certainly seems strange and counterproductive but it seems like some heads, especially in secondary are on power trips. It's not impossible to imagine even though it's not my experience at all. The 2 options I'd take is 1 - schedule 8.30 appointment, call school and say something has come up I'll be in at 10. No options for them to refuse. Or 2 - simply take the day off and catch up on paperwork etc in the leave and quiet. Head teachers problem to arrange cover, they've caused the situation with the lack of flexibility

That's fair enough then @WouldYouLieOrNot. If it is just the case of an overzealous head and it's an appointment you need just take the day.

It's worth speaking to a union though because say for example you needed ongoing treatment, if you have multiple sick days it'd go on your record so you can't with either way with dickhead bosses.

FWIW I don't have anything against teachers. I was remembering the last thread too and it seems so surreal. I'd say the same to anyone in any profession with such an unreasonable boss.

There is no statutory right to time off for medical appointments, but I assume your school gives pregnant colleagues their statutory right to attend pregnancy- related appointments?
How are those covered?

In our school, colleagues arrange cover among themselves for these short absences, and present the solution.

If there really is no option of an appointment after 4pm or on a Saturday, might you be able to offer a solution along with explaining that a 30 min absence would cost the school nothing whereas a full day's leave would?

It is hard. Illness, and the possible prevention of illness, feels as if it has to be scheduled into holidays in so many schools.

Ultimately, heads hold a lot of power in schools. If you look through the TRA there are some cases of corrupt headteachers - this one is notable, if you read the actual case hearing, she had been bullying staff for years.

Heads can refuse or write a bad reference and in effect end a career. It takes years if at all for it to come out. That case only was heard because of exam corruption, not bullying of staff, and note her deputy and two other teachers were found guilty of misconduct, although they weren’t prohibited from teaching.

I don’t think my head is a bully but rigidity adheres to rules and procedures and won’t listen to any explanation.

I assume its a hospital appointment youve got. Do your bosses realise how blooming hard it is to get a hospital appt & the lack of flexibility they have. You could get it rescheduled and it's during school again, potentially meaning you have to wait months. It's ridiculous they won't allow you the time

I’m not saying they couldn’t cover it, just that they won’t give me the time off. Appointment is at 315, it will take me maybe 40 mins to get there from school, school finishes at 3 so I only need the last half hour of my last lesson covered.

However, I know the answer will be No.

It’s the waiting months I’m worried about, tbh.