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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To refuse to stay at work late?

272 replies

Onlyyours · 04/03/2023 10:36

I’m a teacher. Due to strikes a parents evening has been rearranged, but I had plans for that evening.

Am I within my rights to refuse to do it, given the circumstances?

OP posts:
Original poster
Onlyyours · 04/03/2023 13:36

And @Ionlydrinkondaysendinginy i will admit I don’t know the finer details of every single other profession, but the point here isn’t an objection to doing parents evening, it’s that things have suddenly changed.

So let’s say you work Monday to Friday which most people do - then it’s suddenly decided that you’ll all get a day off in the week but have to work Saturdays. Can you not see how that could cause problems if it was announced with only a few weeks notice?

OP posts:
Sleepless1096 · 04/03/2023 13:37

BlackFriday · 04/03/2023 13:30

It's an entirely different scenario because talking about a child's attention in class is a whole different ball game to medical operations. But, if it's major surgery, I presume it would be re-scheduled according to the severity of the issue.
A routine op would probably mean slotting into a cancellation or joining the queue again?
Maybe a medic could tell us?

Show quote history

The principle is the same though, if you take it to its logical conclusion. Either work scheduled for strike days should not be rescheduled, however important, or it's ok to reschedule it.

Though personally I agree the OP should not have to cancel, as telephone or online appointments can easily be offered another day.

dapsnotplimsolls · 04/03/2023 13:38

I don't think anyone here will be able to give you the legal position unless they're a union rep.

Ionlydrinkondaysendinginy · 04/03/2023 13:38

Onlyyours · 04/03/2023 13:36

And @Ionlydrinkondaysendinginy i will admit I don’t know the finer details of every single other profession, but the point here isn’t an objection to doing parents evening, it’s that things have suddenly changed.

So let’s say you work Monday to Friday which most people do - then it’s suddenly decided that you’ll all get a day off in the week but have to work Saturdays. Can you not see how that could cause problems if it was announced with only a few weeks notice?

It may cause problems but that is what is in our contract. 4 weeks notice has to be given and if you don't like it tough 💩 you know where the door is

Targetted · 04/03/2023 13:38

Onlyyours · 04/03/2023 13:34

@Targetted i don’t want to sound overly irritable here, but even if you’ve been teaching around forty years and have worked in several different schools with head changes in that time, there’s no way you can know what every head will say. That’s why I need to know the legal position.

Not sure why it makes a difference what year group it is either.

Surely you can have the conversation first and then seek legal advice if needed?

There are probably better places to get than than MN 😆

Original poster
Onlyyours · 04/03/2023 13:39

Yeah course it is Hmm

@Targetted maybe Trust I know my head better than you do!

OP posts:
Cosyblankets · 04/03/2023 13:40

Ionlydrinkondaysendinginy · 04/03/2023 13:38

It may cause problems but that is what is in our contract. 4 weeks notice has to be given and if you don't like it tough 💩 you know where the door is

Show quote history

But it isn't in the teaching contract and that's the point

Ionlydrinkondaysendinginy · 04/03/2023 13:41

Cosyblankets · 04/03/2023 13:40

But it isn't in the teaching contract and that's the point

Show quote history

Which is exactly why I wrote only teachers should be answering this as every job is different

T1Dmama · 04/03/2023 13:41

Onlyyours · 04/03/2023 10:51

nothing you can do

Well, this is what I’m asking - parents evenings are usually arranged well in advance for that reason, and we’ve tickets booked for an event. I’m not obstructive as a rule but I really don’t see why I should lose money for this.

No… I’d be saying I’m very sorry but I’ve got prebooked and paid for plans that night so can’t do parents evening.
We have on occasions had parents evenings where one or two teachers have been scheduled for a different night.

ChrisPPancake · 04/03/2023 13:42

I don't think YABU at all.

When dc's teacher was not available for parents' evening (no idea of why and not my right to know) they arranged Teams calls or email consultations with the affected parents. Probably more hassle for them as not just done on the one evening, but definitely appreciated. Would you be willing to suggest something like that to SLT, rather than just saying a blanket no?

Sunriseinwonderland · 04/03/2023 13:42

If I don't stay late at work (NHS) then I have to do the admin at home. Its a no win situation and I'm sick of it. I just want some time off.

Roseroserosey · 04/03/2023 13:43

There isn't a standard legal position. You need to speak to the Head and if they are not agreeable speak to your union who can go through your contract and look at the detail of your situation and advise/support you.

countdowntonap · 04/03/2023 13:43

Just ask! I’m SLT. Had a similar situation at our school but reschedule wasn’t due to strike. A couple of staff had other events already booked and so sent in people proof of event tickets and when they were purchased. Not a problem at all. Parents were given their email address so that they could email the teacher for an update if they wanted one.

I think you’re building this up in your head to be a bigger problem than it is.

Ionlydrinkondaysendinginy · 04/03/2023 13:44

Sunriseinwonderland · 04/03/2023 13:42

If I don't stay late at work (NHS) then I have to do the admin at home. Its a no win situation and I'm sick of it. I just want some time off.

You should become a teacher you would get 13 weeks holiday

Iwannabeacrocodilehunter · 04/03/2023 13:44

Have you actually spoken to your HT and explained why you are unable to attend?

Offer to call all parents the day before and make notes. It should be as straightforward as that surely?

If HT says you still have to attend, then ask your union.

Original poster
Onlyyours · 04/03/2023 13:46

It isn’t staying late to catch up on admin though @Sunriseinwonderland

OP posts:
VladmirsPoutine · 04/03/2023 13:47

I can see why teachers are leaving the profession in droves. Completely thankless job.

Original poster
Onlyyours · 04/03/2023 13:47

Look, there is no way the HT is going to say sure, have the time off. They just aren’t. We have a long history of problems when we need time off, I won’t detail them all here, but trust me on this.

I do need to be able to say that legally the position is … I can ask the Union but (sorry) they don’t tend to be very helpful on these matters.

OP posts:
Original poster
Onlyyours · 04/03/2023 13:49

And had I not already booked these tickets it wouldn’t be a problem, but I have. I’m not an obstructive member of staff and I do offer revision sessions, intervention in my own time. It’s literally just that I don’t want to be hundreds out of pocket through no fault of my own.

OP posts:
Ionlydrinkondaysendinginy · 04/03/2023 13:51

VladmirsPoutine · 04/03/2023 13:47

I can see why teachers are leaving the profession in droves. Completely thankless job.

Can you name any job that isn't thankless. Everyone gets paid to go to work and that's all. Nobody is getting a parade at the end of the week

woodhill · 04/03/2023 13:51

Definitely go to your concert

It's not your fault calendar was altered

Dippydinosaurus · 04/03/2023 13:54

Schools have to provide all directed time at the start of the year so in this case I don't think you'll be contractually held to it. I'd email the head and also contact your union at the same time as they're the only ones who'll be able to confirm this (or someone knowledgeable on staff room)

IsItThough · 04/03/2023 13:54

Whilst schools try to plan much further in advance, that is courtesy but not law.

4 weeks is a lot of notice, and very reasonable. Plenty of time to sell or exchange tickets, disappointing though that might be. Legally I cannot imagine you'd have a leg to stand on. Ideally the Head should have consulted but I don't suppose a lot of that goes on.

Hercisback · 04/03/2023 13:54

I'd inform your head you won't be attending due to pre arrangements that can't be moved. Email the parents and say you will phone them or ask if they'd prefer an email back.
Then on the day just leave.
What's the worst that will happen?
You'll soon enough get a new teaching job.

mybunniesandme · 04/03/2023 13:55

Oh well. I had work plans for the day of the strike and had to rearrange 🙄

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