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?

@Squishmellow Yes, I work doing tutoring only (around my own child) currently work with three families, but this one the most.

If earning a living through tutoring is so important to you OP (which is fair enough of course), then you really need to get a proper contract in place.

As everybody has told you here, you haven’t got a leg to stand on at the moment.

As above, I would just say I am formalising my business model and ask them to sign a contract with T&CS.

I would probably also ask for payments in advance monthly or termly if it makes you life easier.

It sounds like the family (and others in the thread) might only want a term-time contract so consider if that is how you want to run your business. You could maybe off ad-hoc lessons in school holidays as an add-on depending on your availability. You have a right to know whether you will be working during Easter or not but it sounds like you need to ask as right now your current arrangement is still quite informal.

If this is your income it's a business. You're just going to have to put a robust contract in place or you'll be walked all over.

The thing to consider though OP is that even with a contract, depending on your terms, you’re likely still going to end up with nothing over holidays. Most contracts as standard will have 24/48 hour cancellation policies so clients will still be able to say you are not needed over school holidays for example.

It is unrealistic to expect payment for tutoring on days you aren’t willing to work (eg bank holidays) or for standard school holidays.

For cancellations it depends on what your prior agreement is. Given you have none you effectively have a causal contact and no you won’t get paid for not working.

If you want to change that you need to decide if you a) will have a cancellations without x notice will be charged a cancellation fee, or b) if you will charge a set fee for the term and there’s no cancellations permitted (and if you allow reschedules etc)

You also need to consider how you run your tutoring. If you move towards a term fee or cancellation and notice requirements you may find there’s an increased expectation of preparation etc. If your current approach is turn up and ask questions that can add to your workload considerably. If you are preparing lessons etc then cancellation fees make more sense. If you aren’t willing to run a professional program, I’d avoid contacts and cancellation fees.

In which case can you give notice to existing family. Offer holidays only? Do you prep for these sessions which get cancelled? Could you not manage more than one child during term-time? It seems as if you need to separate term-time and holidays.

So many women don't place a high enough value on their time and services.

I care a great deal also and have been v flexible indeed, they know this and we have a good relationship

Try seeing how "good" the relationship is if you stop facilitating this, OP - folk can be nicey-nicey while they're getting to call the shots, but change that and it can all look rather different

As said, you'd probably do better to start again elsewhere, but with proper arrangements in place

If this is your income it's a business. You're just going to have to put a robust contract in place or you'll be walked all over

Correct as usual, @ilovesooty - and as a business let's hope tax is being paid on the income

Before setting up contracts you should also look into whether that would trigger any other requirements. I’m likely in a different country - but in my country you need to be considering taxes, insurance, registration etc (ok you do anyway, but a contract formalises things). Make sure you’re getting advice from someone qualified to give it.

DD’s tutor is term time only with the exception of the last week of the summer term.

They offer intensive subject weeks for small groups during the summed (mon-wed 10-12.30) for a separate fee and one to one revision sessions are available for a separate fee at Easter.

If they cancel due to illness they endeavour to make up the session or carry the credit to the next month and adjust your invoice.

Is it cash in hand or do you pay tax on it?. If it is the former then I don't think you can ask to be paid, unless they cancel within 24 hours.

It's fine to set out terms and conditions of your choosing so long as you don't try to apply them retrospectively.

e.g. you could say "in order to have a guaranteed weekly slot you must commit to a minimum of 3 weeks in each calendar month and if the slot isn't needed in a week which will go below this minimum it must nevertheless be paid for. Any cancellation at less than 48 hours notice must be paid for independently of this minimum."

And if they won't agree to this you take on other srudents and can't guarantee you will have time for this student but can fit then in when you do have time. Your time is valuable and they can't expect to monopolise it and then neither use nor pay for it.

I think you should clearly establish in advance which weeks you will be needed. Presumably neither you nor the student want classes every week of the year! Being clear from the outset that (e.g.) you won't be teaching them in the school holidays seems sensible.

We use two tutors for two teens. One for GCSE maths support and the other for specialist Dyslexia support. We were given details of terms and conditions before starting. We pay all weeks term time regardless of attendance but not holidays. Dyslexia tutor offers holiday slots to clients who want them. I always pay for missed sessions in term time, sadly quite a few with the maths teacher as GCSE student is suffering ASD burn out.

I wouldn't expect the tutor to continue into the holidays. As long as they give notice, I feel that it's fine. You need to set up a contract template with a cancellation policy, that they sign.

Holidays start today and due there tomorrow, often I’m messaged around 4 the day before

For me personally, I’d prefer to continue my tutoring through the holidays, but can understand if people don’t want to.

We used a tutor who only worked during term time. I had to pay the entire half-term upfront. If we missed, we lost the money (or could do a Zoom meeting). So no, we weren’t paying for holidays, but at the same time we couldn’t drop a lesson ad hoc.

Correct as usual, @ilovesooty - and as a business let's hope tax is being paid on the income

Why on earth would you even comment on the OPs tax affairs, there’s nothing to suggest her income isn’t being declared. @Neitherherenortherehey you need to formalise your working arrangements - apart from anything else you’re income is very vulnerable to the whims of this client and if she’s your main client it’s a very unstable situation.

Ok, so pretty much on time as predicted, the dad has just messaged me saying that because it’s the holidays, is it ok to leave it for two weeks?
I was due to tutor tomorrow morning at 10-what should I say/do? 🤔

You don’t have a choice OP. He’s not really asking you—he’s telling you, but in question format to be nice. Since this is your main client, you may just need to suck it up and know that they’re flaky, then take these lessons learned forward with any new clients that you book. You could try starting a new contract with this client, but you risk having them say, “In that case, no. We won’t continue.” It’s up to you.

You have no option but to say “yes, no problem”. Because you have absolutely no binding contract or agreement in places that requires them to pay you.

What you should DO though is spend the time you would have been tutoring, sorting yourself out a proper contract and terms & conditions. You then provide that to anyone you are working with, explain this will now be the case going forward if they wish to continue etc.

Have you prepped for it? You could request payment , say half, if so or you coukd let it go this time but say you will be initiating a cancellation policy going forward. Half for 48 hours notice, full for less than 24. Do they pay in advance?

@LIZS They don’t pay me in advance, he basically tells me to message him with the amount owed each month and he transfers it