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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Expected to go into work during my holiday ? Would you ? AIBU?

57 replies

Popte · 10/02/2023 23:54

AIBU

I work in a nursery in London. As I am a qualified teacher ( like 2 others ) I am on half term next week. The other practitioners will not be off and be in at work . They are allocated 28 days holiday a year and take it when they choose .

I appreciate as a teacher I am lucky that I get all school holidays . It is clear that some of my colleagues begrudge the teachers time off - I understand to them it seems unfair .

Next week( half term ) we have been told there is a staff meeting , a parents evening and a stay and play event which we teachers are expected to attend .

I have 3 children on half term . How on earth am I meant to make these events ? Why on earth have management scheduled these events in during half term when they know 3 teachers are off?

We have a staff Facebook chat and certain members of staff ( not managers $ keep tagging the teachers ,
Asking - are you attending ?We need to know !
Can we expect your presence ?
Will you be coming ?
I believe they are doing this publicly to try and shame us into coming . Then also enjoying making rude comments if we say no.

When a teacher has said they can’t make it as they have a holiday booked other members mad extremely sarcastic comments questioning the teachers commitment.

I know one teacher has flatly refused to attend any events during the holidays and doesn’t care what people think of her not attending.
I feel torn . It is a toxic environment and I do feel I’m too scared to not attend as I know that many of the staff will be bitchy and make my life difficult if I don’t go . I also hate ignoring the chat messages . But I’m so angry at the same time.

I am tempted to speak to The Manager and say I feel confused as to why events are arranged for half term . Also , why are staff demanding on a group chat to know if we are attending. It feels like peer pressure / bully tactics .

Surely a holiday is a holiday ??

Without sounding rude it is a lot of junior members of staff who are the rudest . I am at my wits end with it . I have said I will go to one of the events as I felt my team would go mad if I didn’t . This is mid week and will eat up a day of my holiday and mean I have to send my children to day care . My husband is so cross I am going in during my holiday again.

AIBU?
I honestly am confused .

I’m annoyed I feel bullied by bitchy 22 year olds who have no children and are demanding to know about what I am doing ! The place is toxic and I feel the bullying environment should be addressed.

OP posts:
SW2002 · 21/05/2023 23:39

So long as it's not breaking your contract then absolutely do not go in.

One teacher has already drawn the line in the sand, the other two of you need to stand with her / him and refuse also. That's the only way this nonsense ends for good. If one of you goes in then you are setting the precent that it's a reasonable thing to demand and it makes the one(s) who stick to their guns look bad.

You need to get together and agree a single blanket response that you will all give on the group such as 'I am off that week as it's half term so I won't be in. Catch you all the week after'.

Coffeellama · 22/05/2023 06:07

Badbudgeter · 21/05/2023 22:47

I wouldn’t answer questions on Facebook just mute the chat. Tell your manager you won’t be coming in. If questioned about it face to face just say you’ve made plans for the holidays.

It was in February so I imagine it’s resolved by now.

Fandabedodgy · 22/05/2023 06:17

Leave the staff Facebook group. It's toxic and not an appropriate place for professional discussion to take place.

Fandabedodgy · 22/05/2023 06:17

Drat. Old thread.

ArdeteiMasazxu · 22/05/2023 06:22

No one works for free. You have a term time only contract and you are only paid to work term times. If your employers want a full-year-round employee they can create an appropriately paid post (it would be paid at 20% more than your annual salary to cover the full year) and they can then recruit someone who is prepared to work all year round. What they cannot do is pay a term-time only salary and expect year-round work. It would actually be unethical to comply with such an unreasonable request imo.

LovelyDaaling · 22/05/2023 06:28

Show solidarity with the teacher colleague who always refuses to attend during her leave. You make things worse for yourself by caving in.

GracePalmer33 · 22/05/2023 07:35

I would absolutely speak to my manager. If you haven't already, do it yesterday. This will just keep continuing if you don't speak up. They should not be scheduling multiple events during teacher holidays.
And you don't need to answer to junior members of staff so don't worry about not replying in the Facebook group.
Do not go to these things. You are on holiday. You could literally be away on holiday. But even if you're at home, do not go in.
If I was asked to go into work for a bunch of things while I was on holiday I would just laugh? No chance. But I also wouldn't be asked.

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