To say no! Twilight sessions (unpaid)

[LorlieS]

Can't sleep I'm so stressed!!
I'm working as a HLTA - paid hours 8.30 until 3.30.
Just picked up an email sent today telling me I need to attend two twilight sessions from after school until 6pm. Needless to say these will not be paid for and the first one is this week!
AIBU to say no?
Oh, and I also have a 3 yo and her childcare only runs until 4.30.

If you read your contract of employment, it will say you are paid for so many INSET days, usually 2 or 3 as support staff. Therefore, you are paid twilight sessions as they are replacing the INSETs. However, if you've already completed the required number, you are well within your rights to request overtime be paid or to be excused from the sessions.

At our school, dates for twilight sessions are given out months in advance and TAs are rarely asked to attend. If they are, for safeguarding or first aid training for example, then they are paid or given time off in lieu.

Usually twilights are added up to give staff time back on an inset day.

I think the very short notice alone makes it ok to say that you can't attend, but if it's essential training then you may have to do it another time.

The thing is, what do I do with my toddler?! I literally have no childcare!!!

I agree with the other posters that you will need to attend some sessions, and these are usually safeguarding or for things that legally the school needs to be able to say that all staff have had training on/are aware of.

Has this just been added to the calendar? Or was it there in September, but you were unaware that you would need to attend?

@Hatty65 Just literally been added today. Still don't know what I'm supposed to do with the 3 yo?!!

For your toddler can you beg a friend/acquaintance/relative to have them from 4.30 - 6.00pm as a one off massive favour?

Essentially if this is on the timetable as a twilight session and you need to attend school will not be interested in your lack of childcare. As an HLTA I would expect you to have to attend some twilights.

Sorry - cross posted. If it's just been added today I think you have a good case to say 'That's too short notice and I have no childcare' and see if there is some way you can access remotely?

@Hatty65 Literally the only person I have is my mum and she has said no because she has her from 7.40 on those days as is so I can work. I fully understand - she's almost 70 and gets very tired. I know nobody else whatsoever, being an older working mum I don't have mum friends.

I imagine you can decline citing the short notice but you'll probably have to do the session another time.

How much notice have you got of the second session?

@ilovesooty Thanks. Really fed up with this job now - the demands for pretty much minimum wage are ridiculous! I've found out today I should be accepted for the MSc I've been looking to do - just need to find a job where I can study and work now!! Daughter starts school from September so will be a lot easier re childcare.

@ilovesooty Following week. But again, nobody to have 3 yo 😞

@LorlieS I think you can cite the short notice as a reason to not be able to attend. Don't stress about it - particularly if you have to work tomorrow! 💐

The following week isn't much notice in school calendar terms. It's good practice for the calendar to be published in September. If it's part of your contract to do some twilight sessions you'll probably have to do them but I don't think that's sufficient notice.

What about hiring a babysitter from an agency?

I'd be tempted to send an email saying that due to the short notice of the two upcoming sessions, unfortunately you cannot find childcare. Then ask if it's possible that they would be able to provide someone in school to care for the attendees children for the duration of the meeting.

@gratefulforcousins It's not something we have ever done and tbh wouldn't feel comfortable doing that. Also I can't really afford it.

Twilight sessions are to replace inset days so you get a day off instead of being at work. If you your contract is to work inset days then you should attend

@Maddy70 I have no childcare for my 3 yo until 6pm!!

It will also be in the school calendar. Speak to the head. Many staff bring their children into inset days and twilights
They don't just spring them in

@Maddy70 Only notified for the first time today. Nothing in calendar prior.

Your personal (childcare) arrangements are not relevant. What is, is your contract. I'd imagine you're hourly paid so unless you're offered reasonable TOIL or overtime it would be unreasonable and anlawful to expect you to work for free however there might be a clause in your contract to sayvyou could be asked to occasionally work out of hours.
No one here can tell you what's in your contract. Have you been given 'reasonable ' notice? Have you vouced your thoughts?

It's very short notice for even next week so I would ask if its possible for you to attend on another date or join via zoom. However, I would also try to widen your childcare arrangements as relying on only your mum isn't sustainable. Is your daughter's father (or any of his family) involved in her care? Maybe try to organise some playdates with her friends from nursery and hopefully get reciprocal offers. Sometimes nursery staff also do some babysitting, not cheap but someone your daughter knows.

@Spomsored Hubby works ft in emergency MH care, none of his family are local. And even if his parents were they can't help as both mid-eighties. I have one brother locally but he is autistic.
I also don't know any other mums at all as I do no drop off or picks ups. I can't afford babysitting on next to minimum wage 😞

@NaughtybutNice77 Zero TOIL or overtime is ever offered as no money in school budgets.