Sharing of workload

[wakemeupwhenitisover]

Posting here in the hope of getting some perspective. A colleague and I both work in the same department and both work 4 days. I have been given more classes and lessons - hence more planning, marking, reports and parents evenings etc. This same colleague keeps complaining to me that her workload is unmanageable - I just smile politely whilst seething that she is seeking sympathy from me when I have more work to do. I have kept my mouth shut up until now and just got on with things but there was talk last week of reducing this colleagues teaching timetable further - widening the gap between our workloads. I now feel that I have to raise this matter for the sake of my mental health if nothing else but I am worried that I will sound like a spoilt 5 year old screaming, ‘It’s not fair!’

I'm not in a school but in education. If there were 2 members of staff on a 0.8 with no additional responsibilities I would absolutely expect them to have the same teaching hours. At ours that would be 20 hours so both should have 20 hours. You were right to bring it up

Definitely a management issue.

Can you go higher up the food chain?

It does seem incredibly unfair. Some of our staff teach slightly different hours by 1 or 2 just due to the nature of their groups. But no one really notices this. While classes different is another thing.

Ah, not a good outcome then. However, are you going to be teaching the correct allocation for a 0.8 part timer ie 80% of a full time week? Obvs you should have 10% of your own teaching load as PPA. As galling as it is, try to focus on whether what you are being given is fair rather than than whether it is fair in comparison to your colleague. There may be forces of work that you’re not aware of, as shit as it is.

Forces at work, I mean.

Thank you for everyones’ advice. I have decided to ‘make peace’ with the situation - I was starting to make myself ill. I will focus on what I am doing and try not to worry about anyone else. This colleague has form for sounding and looking very busy whilst doing less than others - our old line manager was wise to it our new one isn’t yet! I intend to move forward with a more positive frame of mind - it has helped to share my feelings here.

It sounds like you haven’t much choice but to rise above it, unless you’re willing to resign. My bet is the new line manager will catch on very soon, unless colleagues are covering mistakes and missed deadlines etc. Unlike other jobs I’ve had, it’s not hard to spot a slacker in teaching.

If you are experiencing stress due to workload management do have to act on this.