Would it be fairer to be paid for these days?

[Neitherherenortherehey]

I’m a teacher and currently doing private tutoring. I’ve taught one student for around a year. I was asked to help with a specific subject they struggle with, but it soon became about helping with homework and prepping for school tests, which is fine.
My issue is, that sometimes, the parent will message me and say their dc says they have no tests or homework so there’s nothing to do, so no lesson. I’m also expecting because it’s due to be Easter holidays that I will receive a similar message soon. Is this fair? It means I’ll miss out on two weeks of pay.
I often have others asking for tutoring, but don’t have space due to devoting my hours to this student.
I don’t mind them not wanting some holidays or some days if there isn’t much work to do, but should I be paid for these?

Tell them if they want regular spot then missed appointments will be charged from now on

You draw up a contract which lays out your terms and conditions. It's a job so treat it like one. It's up to you what the Ts and C's are but be clear about payments. It avoids difficulties.

@NoMoreEventsToday I risk them deciding not to have me anymore 😬
That’s why I wanted to find out people’s opinion that I should get paid these or not? 🤔

Depends what it sais in your T&Cs which presumably they've signed?

Obviously you stick to these, but if you've already allowed fudging of the agreement over a year that'll create expectations that you'll go right on doing it

I think you should set yourself up as a tutor with a standard contract, payment terms, cancellation policy etc.

People will always take advantage of tutors, especially women.

And yes, you should absolutely get paid for cancellations. Your time is money, OP.

But then the spot is open for someone else, who you will give a proper contract to.

I haven’t set up a contract with terms and conditions (realise I should have)

Would people say it’s fair to expect payment or that I should only be paid for hours worked?

If you don't have contract with them then it's difficult to change the terms now and you do risk them going elsewhere.

But if you are turning down other work, is this a problem?

I would get a contract together now with clear terms on holidays, cancellations etc

Have you suggested that if there is no homework on a particular week that you go over previous topics to refresh understanding on them. It would mean you have to prepare something but surely that would be better.

Maybe get in and suggest it before they next cancel.

Middle ground of charging a reduced fee for organising and marking of homework tasks?

@toomanyy But would you class cancellations as being the school holidays when there’s no homework/tests to work towards?

Absolutely fair to expect payment.

How much notice do you need of a cancellation?

Can you get other work in that period?

Might be worth checking with them ahead of holidays to see if they will need you. You can't be on standby for them unless they're paying you.

Entirely depends on the expectations you've set. And yes, you can change those. If you anticipate getting stiffed again next holidays probably best to get in now and tell them you're changing policy. Or let them get away with it this once but say it's the last time.

And the "no tests upcoming" excuse is ridiculous and presumably is exactly why that child needs additional tutoring in the first place. Surely they ought to be working on improving their basic skills?

I go to an art class where the tutor has a dual charging system. If you book ahead for a month at a time and pay up front, you pay one price per lesson. If you want to PAYG which is effectively what this parent is doing, it's more expensive per lesson.

Might something like that be a halfway house? I actually think she should pay you for late cancellations, but if you don't want to implement that, the above might be a simplest solution.

You need a cancellation policy. Also to emphasise it is not just for revision for tests but to support their learning, Have you posted about this family before?

@GrumpyPanda Yes exactly! I have explained this. I tend to get needed desperately when she struggles with homework or tests are coming up and then told I’m not needed when it’s holidays or there’s ‘Nothing’ to do

Or, given that tutors are in high demand, people value you for your time and you refill the flaky people's slot with regular payment

@Shortpoet Yes, that’s exactly it, I’ve said this. Mum will often say she’s tired after all the tests etc and needs a break. I understand this, but to leave me with no pay seems unfair

DD has a tutor. If we need to cancel last minute I definitely pay. If we're on holiday I give ample notice and don't pay.

@Igmum Does your Dd still have tutoring during the school holidays?
How much notice do you give if you go away on holiday, did your tutor ask for this?

Yes, you need something along the lines of 'x lessons a week at £y per hour, cancellation will require a full z hours notice in order for lessons not to be charged as taken. Lessons cancelled outside these terms will be charged as taken i.e. at the full rate'. Can you be term time only? And ask that they book holiday lessons (a few weeks) in advance and\or change these at a different rate? Definitely not unreasonable but you need to tell them in advance.

Just say that you are taking on more tutoring work and are formalising existing arrangements and issue her with a contract. She doesn’t need to know if you are really taking on new clients or not. I’d up the fees slightly and build in holiday breaks (the increased fee would then cover your time off). If they then want tutoring through a holiday they can book additional sessions.

We got her through an agency so I suspect there are terms and conditions somewhere (never read them). For holidays when we are away we cancel giving plenty of notice - at least a few weeks and probably more, we tend to keep her going for the other bits of the holiday (if she is free). But if DD is tired/ill/something happens at the last minute (we literally didn't hear her ring the doorbell once!) then we would pay

I haven’t set up a contract with terms and conditions (realise I should have)

Oh dear

To answer your original question it's probably fair to expect them to pay, but unfortunately you've left yourself without a leg to stand on, effectively relying on their goodwill

Better, perhaps, to terminate this one and start again elsewhere, only this time handling it professionally. There's always a demand for tutors, so it's not as if you're unlikely to find anyone else