To think I shouldn't go in and help them

[Cannotthinkofadecentname]

It's a zero hours contract, but we were promised fixed hours and classes (tutoring).
For the first month I was there, I had 25 hours fixed.
Then for whatever reason, my classes were taken off me and given to other teachers, I was given some new classes but it totalled around 19 hours a week. So I've had to work an extra job to support myself financially.
I'm not sure if the other teachers were more favoured than me, but I just went in one day and was told that X teacher would be taking X class now instead of me but that they'd 'try to find me something else.' I've since been given some more fixed classes but it's very limited hours.
This week (luckily I'm leaving very soon) there are no lessons for me to teach in the mornings so I've only got afternoon lessons which is giving me a grand total of 10 hours work for this week, given that I was told I'd have around 25 hours when I started.
Of course the other teachers have all got their 25 ish hours.
Luckily I've managed to get some other work for this week to financially support myself.
Anyway I've had a text from the manager saying, X teacher is off sick today, can you come in and take her class for us?
Part of me thinks I should tell them to shove it (obviously I wouldn't but just say I can't make it)
Don't see why I should help them out when they messed me around with hours and classes.

It's my fault for taking on a zero hours contract I guess.

I would tell them.to stick where the sun don't shine

Yeah, I hate jobs where they expect you to drop everything last minute to cover and help them out but wouldn't help you out..

Tempting as it is to tell
them where to go, I would probably go in. Reputations follow you around especially in teaching , plus you will get paid.
But I wouldn’t be leaving without asking for feedback as to why I had lost those classes. It may be difficult , it could be a learning point, or it could just crystallise that they are bastards .

I mean they've given me 30 minutes notice, I had planned something else and I'm not willing to drop my plans to suit them.
Yes very true, I should ask them.

If your plans are something that you’d not want to change even if you were being given the hours then don’t go in.

Just say sorry no - you’ve had to take on other work because you haven’t been given the hours, so that’s what you have booked.

They don't necessarily 'expect you to drop everything' but they have asked you to take the class. You wanted more hours, they've offered you some hours, why cut off your nose to spite your face??

what sort of setting is it that teachers are in zero hours? Are you subjects niche?

you say you're leaving soon, have you got a full time position to go to?

zero hour contracts can be brilliant, they can be crap. But they're not wise to take if you rely on the income weekly, no matter what they say should be 'guaranteed'. If they could guarantee 25 hours they'd take someone in for 25 hours.

I guess it depends how much you need the job and money. Work were on the phone as soon as I got back from holiday asking me to go in at 8am. I needed to collect cats from cattery, get food shopping etc, so said I really couldn't come in at that time, but could go in at noon.

@TooMuchToDoTooLittleInclination 30 minutes notice has a strong flavour of dropping things

I wouldn’t go in. Explain that you have other commitments and it’s too short notice

If you are leaving soon just say no! Keep to your plans.

It depends on what you had planned. You are either part of the team and you accepted the t&c's when you signed up, or you get out. Shortly you will not be liked at all.

If you can't go, it's a moot point. But... it's a zero hours contract, they offer you some hours, you can take them or not. It's not really "helping them out", if you don't go in they'll get someone else instead. I do get the frustration about promised hours that don't materialise, but that's the reality of zero hours work, it can work brilliantly or fail miserably.

This is what I would say. It puts it completely on them.

if everyone else is getting regular hours then clearly they aren’t happy with your work. If you want the money take the work. It’s not “helping them out” it’s your job.

“ I’m afraid I can’t help. My hours were taken from me and given to other staff so I have been forced to take on other employment. If my hours are reinstated I’m more likely to be available.”

What @Thehop said.

This is perfect!

If you need the money, go. If you don't, don't.

Is it TEFL? Bloody crap for teachers in this country.

Anyway yes if you need the money do it. If not it you're too pissed off, don't. No point making a remark about the hours because if they're prepared to employ in this way they don't give a shit.

This is what supply teaching is like. My Mum did it for 30 years and was frequently called in at very short notice.