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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I feel like I might be being treated unfairly at work

53 replies

TS45 · 25/05/2023 20:44

I’m a primary school teacher.
I’ve been at my current school for 3 years.
The first two years, I was covering other people’s maternity leaves. I was kept on temporarily for the third year (current year now). A permanent job is about to be advertised and I was told that even though I fit the school well and they think I’m a great teacher, the post will be advertised permanently so that the head can get a sense of who else is out there. I’ve been told to apply but not to assume my name is on the job and that I have a 50/50 chance of getting it. Now to me, I really feel like if they did think I was a good teacher, they wouldn’t feel the need to look around. I’ve given this school my all for the past 3 years. Coming in early, staying late. Devoting my free evenings to holding sports clubs and volunteering at our community events. I’ve gone above and beyond.
The whole situation has really hurt me and has made me feel so unappreciated. Would you even bother applying?

OP posts:
MichelleScarn · 25/05/2023 20:46

I don't think (if it's a local authority school) that they can just give it to you and they legally HAVE to advertise?

Littlebluebellwoods · 25/05/2023 20:47

I don’t think they are allowed to just give you the job or even indicate they will, isn’t that illegal or against the rules?

Seashor · 25/05/2023 20:48

Well that’s a confidence boost isn’t it! I understand that the process has to be fair but what they’ve said is brutal. I’d leave to be honest, I wouldn’t be able to look at them in the same way again.

BionicCarbon · 25/05/2023 20:48

I would apply. If you don’t get it you can think about leaving. But as others have said, they can’t just give you the job.

openstop · 25/05/2023 20:49

No it seems perfectly fair to make sure you are competitive. 50/50 is good odds if there's at least 2 other candidates

twilightsleepiness · 25/05/2023 20:50

Depends if there are other schools around where you would want to work.

At the moment schools are struggling to recruit. If this is a lovely village school in an affluent area there will be a lot of competition but if it's an inner city school with several other schools around then tell them to go spin and apply for another school!

But yes PPs are correct in that they have to advertise the role if it's local authority.

poetryandwine · 25/05/2023 20:50

Yes, I would apply! I don’t know the schools sector but in the HE sector I think an advertisement would be required.

There is a big difference between temporary and permanent. Do the SLT even know your views on issues that have not been within your remit as a temporary member of staff?

You’ve evidenced your dedication. Now, what are your strengths and weaknesses? Can you make a case that going permanent could help with the latter? How will going permanent enable you to contribute more? I think the HT is looking for answers to questions along these lines

roseheartfly · 25/05/2023 20:50

They should've just said that they have to legal advertise and therefore it needs to be a fair playing field.

To make you feel like crap shows what they are like and quite frankly I'd be keeping my eyes open for other opportunities. You know.. 'get a sense for what's out there'

poetryandwine · 25/05/2023 20:51

Of course only apply if you want the job.

poetryandwine · 25/05/2023 20:52

And I would also be applying elsewhere. If nothing else it will help you to feel more powerful, which is important.

ILoveMyCaravan · 25/05/2023 20:53

They are obliged to advertise it. It's nothing personal, even though it must feel like it is.

Doyoumind · 25/05/2023 20:53

YABU. They have to advertise and they can't make out you're going to get the job otherwise it would be a glaringly unfair process.

coffeerevelsrule · 25/05/2023 20:54

The head has to put the school first in terms of making sure they make the best appointment possible. They've (sort of) been honest with you - it may be that whoever told you you were 'great' (did they use that word?) was trying to soften the blow a little, and then they went on to stress that it was 50/50 so you know it's definitely not in the bag. It's harsh, but they have to do what is right for them and you have to do what is right for you.

sparklelikeadiamond · 25/05/2023 20:56

They do not legally have to advertise it externally at all. They could advertise internally. You are already doing the job of teacher so yes they could give you the permanent job. Many headteachers have a poor understanding of HR so it may not be intentional that they are doing what they are doing.

DrMadelineMaxwell · 25/05/2023 20:59

Only management roles are legally required to be advertised but it is good practice to do so.

We have a roles going now and 2 staff members who were recruited last year without interview for temporary contracts are having to apply for the jobs.

Twinpeaches · 25/05/2023 21:04

There wouldn’t be a legal requirement to advertise externally, but likely a policy requirement. If you want the role apply for it, you stand a great chance given your experience but it’s fair that you’re assessed against other potential applicants.

Original poster
TS45 · 25/05/2023 21:08

Edit: I understand that they have to advertise.
the bit I’m referring to is that they told me I’m a great teacher and a good fit for the school, but then said they want to see what’s out there. They said I don’t need to worry about my own performance, I need to worry about how good other people are and because of that, they can’t guarantee me the job.
I don’t think I’m being treated unfairly because of the advertisement. I feel like I’m being treated unfairly because of how I’m spoken to. If they really don’t want me, I feel like I should be told that upfront

OP posts:
topcat2014 · 25/05/2023 21:11

Fuckem.. if they want you they should just make your job permanent.

All this "they have to advertise" is why schools have a reputation of being toxic..

Good schools make an effort to keep good staff..

DollyParkin · 25/05/2023 21:13

Of course they have to advertise openly and recruit the best teacher they can. Reverse the situation - imagine you're a teacher looking for a job. What would you think if you heard that they didn't interview and promised the job to the maternity cover?

BananaSpanner · 25/05/2023 21:14

I hear you OP. Fair or not, there is a way to handle these things, and I can see why you feel unappreciated.

Original poster
TS45 · 25/05/2023 21:16

I’m not upset they are advertising because I understand that 100%.
It’s that the way I’m being spoken to is making me feel unappreciated, and I just feel like they should be 100% open and honest with me. What was said to me has really dented my confidence

OP posts:
Quinoawoman · 25/05/2023 21:16

So I applied for an internal promotion - was encouraged to apply - was told that I could do the job standing on my head - then didn't get it.

Better they tell you the truth now than let you think it's yours.

poetryandwine · 25/05/2023 21:20

But they have been open and honest with you, OP.

Do take control and protect yourself by thinking about what you want. Apply elsewhere if it makes any kind of sense at all.

luckylavender · 25/05/2023 21:21

They have to advertise & also they can't tell you the job is yours as it's not fair on the other candidates

Original poster
TS45 · 25/05/2023 21:22

Telling me I’m great at my job and should apply, but then telling me they want to see if there are better people out there, totally contradicts telling me to apply. I don’t see how that’s honest

OP posts:
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