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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To refuse to do what my employer wants me to do?

82 replies

Confused222 · 03/05/2023 13:54

I am a qualified music psychotherapist and employed to work in a college setting. The company that employs me now wants me to mostly teach music on a regular long term basis when I go back from mat leave in August. I’ve never trained to be a teacher and was only employed to do music psychotherapy to benefit those with mental health issues.
I was told in the beginning I would only do psychotherapy and case studies/reports/ evaluations etc and work closely with mental Heath team etc etc. I had clarified this at the interview because I was the only music therapist to be employed when the rest are teaching staff.
now when I go back from leave I’m supposed to be a teacher?

I don’t know how to teach.
I have covered teaching classes in the past to help out when I’ve had space and always told the students that I was a music therapist covering a class for the session etc, so they wouldn’t expect me to really know how to teach them and just got on with their work as I was more of a supervisor on the day.

Some of my colleagues think I’m being stubborn as they’ve all had to move around and teach different subjects, but that’s the term of their contract and they are all teachers. Mine never said I would have to teach any subjects. They only change I could expect was to be moved around to provide therapy sessions in different locations. the company are telling me that I’ve always been a combined therapist/tutor but this is not true.

Genuinely don’t know what’s right anymore or what’s even really happening. I am worried about my clients as it means they will no longer get sessions that they were referred to for mental health reasons.. But if they were to come to me for music classes they might still want to open up about thoughts & feelings and then the lines could be blurry? Or they just won’t want to come back and go back to not having a support that worked well for them. Or the classes might not even be offered to them?
gutted as this is my dream job but feel like it’s slowly being pulled away from me and I’ll be letting clients down. I’ve been crying every day..

Can they do this? Or am I overthinking this? Should I just be grateful to have a job? Should I leave?

OP posts:
Toobusytowee · 03/05/2023 14:02

Can you ask HR for a copy of your contract? Or do you have one lying round in a drawer at home somewhere? It is important to check what your job actually is, just in case there’s a clause in there that you hadn’t noticed before.

College lecturers are supposed to have a teaching qualification or working towards one ( I am a university lecturer) so you may find yourself having to go on a training course. This would be all good and well if it is what you want to do.

It sounds like you don’t want to teach music so you may have to start looking for another job if this is what you are now expected to do. I guess the issue is- do you leave because you don’t want the job you are contracted to do? Or do you leave because your employer is forcing you out by changing your job? In the latter scenario it might be worth investigating unfair dismissal or some other employee law breach. Are you in a union? Could you contact Citizen’s Advice?

broadbeanquiche · 03/05/2023 14:17

How long have you been on maternity leave for?

Original poster
Confused222 · 03/05/2023 14:21

broadbeanquiche · 03/05/2023 14:17

How long have you been on maternity leave for?

When I go back it will have been 9 months

OP posts:
tiktokboom · 03/05/2023 14:23

Will it mean a dual relationship with some of your clients? I.e. might have you end up being the music teacher of someone you are a psychotherapist for?

If so it would breach your ethical code. But you wouldn't know that.

tiktokboom · 03/05/2023 14:24

Sorry I mean but you would know that becuse you know your own ethical code.

Original poster
Confused222 · 03/05/2023 14:25

@Toobusytowee im not in a union but currently looking into joining one.
i will need to look out my contract but I know I am not contracted to be a teacher. I wouldn’t have gone for the job otherwise. The only possible changes included in my contract would be to move locations.
mill contact cisterns for advice thanks

OP posts:
LookItsMeAgain · 03/05/2023 14:26

Apart from your contract, do you still have a copy of the advertisement that was posted (either an internal one or external) that listed the job you applied for and subsequently was appointed to.
That might help you too in getting to the bottom of this situation

Original poster
Confused222 · 03/05/2023 14:28

tiktokboom · 03/05/2023 14:24

Sorry I mean but you would know that becuse you know your own ethical code.

Yeh I know what you mean. Which would then mean just dropping all my clients? Who were expecting me back? Now to turn up and say sorry it’s ended without warning.
but if my employers tell me I’m a teacher now then they might say those ethics don’t apply?

mum not even a member of a teaching body.
I’m a member of a health body.
the whole scenario feels really unethical to be honest

OP posts:
Original poster
Confused222 · 03/05/2023 14:29

LookItsMeAgain · 03/05/2023 14:26

Apart from your contract, do you still have a copy of the advertisement that was posted (either an internal one or external) that listed the job you applied for and subsequently was appointed to.
That might help you too in getting to the bottom of this situation

No but i really wish I did!!! I remember it clear as day - all the requirements etc.

it was all about psychotherapy and being registered with the relevant body etc

OP posts:
romdowa · 03/05/2023 14:30

Contact acas and pregnant then screwed. I don't think it's legal for them to change your position like this after maternity.

RandomMess · 03/05/2023 14:31

If you are returning after only the 9 months aren't you legally entitled the exact job you had before?

Original poster
Confused222 · 03/05/2023 14:37

RandomMess · 03/05/2023 14:31

If you are returning after only the 9 months aren't you legally entitled the exact job you had before?

oh I’ll have to look into that. I don’t know what they can legally do..
I just feel it’s unethical for so many reasons to employ someone as a psychotherapist then one day say nope you’re a teacher, you’ve always kind of been a teacher…
they are two different jobs. Its not even changing too within the same job. :(

OP posts:
Maddy70 · 03/05/2023 14:38

Your Contract should state clearly your responsibility.

Just say you are not emiyed as a Teacher and don't know how to teach.

FictionalCharacter · 03/05/2023 14:40

romdowa · 03/05/2023 14:30

Contact acas and pregnant then screwed. I don't think it's legal for them to change your position like this after maternity.

Definitely this. They’re trying to force you into a complete change of jobs and lying about what your actual job is.https://pregnantthenscrewed.com/your-rights/

Your Rights - Pregnant Then Screwed

Know your rights as a pregnant woman or parent in the workplace. Find information and get support from our Pregnant Then Screwed helpline

https://pregnantthenscrewed.com/your-rights/

Original poster
Confused222 · 03/05/2023 14:40

Maddy70 · 03/05/2023 14:38

Your Contract should state clearly your responsibility.

Just say you are not emiyed as a Teacher and don't know how to teach.

I have said that but they say i am more than qualified as I have two degrees but those two degrees were for the psychotherapy.

OP posts:
Original poster
Confused222 · 03/05/2023 14:41

romdowa · 03/05/2023 14:30

Contact acas and pregnant then screwed. I don't think it's legal for them to change your position like this after maternity.

Oh never heard of that thank you 🙏

OP posts:
Eeve · 03/05/2023 14:41

@Confused222 under no circumstances go along with this. I am a clinical psychologist and the idea that an employer would tell me I was going back to teach psychology actually makes me laugh. Hold your boundary. You are a clinician, not a teacher. Its no different to asking a doctor to teach biology.

Who are you registered with? HCPC? Give them a call. Also, speak to your supervisor.

Original poster
Confused222 · 03/05/2023 14:41

FictionalCharacter · 03/05/2023 14:40

Definitely this. They’re trying to force you into a complete change of jobs and lying about what your actual job is.https://pregnantthenscrewed.com/your-rights/

Show quote history

Thanks I’ll check it out now

OP posts:
EsmeSusanOgg · 03/05/2023 14:41

Confused222 · 03/05/2023 14:29

No but i really wish I did!!! I remember it clear as day - all the requirements etc.

it was all about psychotherapy and being registered with the relevant body etc

Show quote history

Where/ how did you apply? If via a website/ agency there may be an archive copy you can reference.

Eeve · 03/05/2023 14:42

And, if they are doing this whilst you're on Mat leave you actually have an additional layer of legal protection.

Coffeetree · 03/05/2023 14:42

I'd start by asking for a new job description reflecting your new duties.

Original poster
Confused222 · 03/05/2023 14:42

Eeve · 03/05/2023 14:41

@Confused222 under no circumstances go along with this. I am a clinical psychologist and the idea that an employer would tell me I was going back to teach psychology actually makes me laugh. Hold your boundary. You are a clinician, not a teacher. Its no different to asking a doctor to teach biology.

Who are you registered with? HCPC? Give them a call. Also, speak to your supervisor.

Yes I’m with HCPC. I told my employer I’ll give them a call and they told me don’t do that I’m overthinking the situation!
mill still call them

OP posts:
Comefromaway · 03/05/2023 14:43

This is not on. It would be the equivalent of the college nurse being asked to teach the Btec health & social care course, two totally different things.

What would be likely to happen is that you would make a hash of things and then they would be looking to get you out on competancy. Are you in a union?

Original poster
Confused222 · 03/05/2023 14:43

@Eeve Meant to say I will still call them
and yes it is madness I don’t understand how they don’t seem to understand my issue with it all

OP posts:
Coffeetree · 03/05/2023 14:44

They told you not to contact your regulatory body?