Lunch time meeting I had to attend?

[Inmypyjamasalready]

I got an email this morning informing me that a meeting was to take place at lunch time and my attendance was mandatory - I am sure this isn’t right, or is it?!

Not directed time, you can’t be directed to attend.

If it's a one off it could be something serious, that can't be conveyed by email, so I'd go.

The last school I worked at we had to attend key stage meetings every Thursday lunchtime, with SLT 'presiding' over to share the outcomes or discussions they'd had at their SLT meeting on Wednesday. Mtg started at 12.15 (children went to lunch at 12.10) and usually lasted around 30 minutes, sometimes more. Lunch ended at 12.55...so we had to eat during the mtg and had no time to prep for the afternoon. It was just awful! Weekly staff meetings lasted 90 minutes (3.30 to 5pm).

We also had half termly 'school development meetings' which STARTED at 5.30 to give time for various Governors to get there...these were in addition to the weekly staff meetings, so that week was an absolute killer!

Every teacher HAD to run a club from 3.15 to 4.30 every week...it wasn't optional! We were told that we were not being reasonable if we refused.

I know technically we could have kicked up a fuss, but honestly, your life was made hell on Earth if you even hinted at union guidelines etc. I was working in excess of 75 hours a week...it very nearly destroyed me.

I'm so very glad that I now work at a school where staff wellbeing is paramount. Staff meetings last around 45 minutes...this week it was 30 minutes! No one is forced to do a club and they only last for 45 minutes if we do run one, 3.15 to 4pm.

Best thing I ever did, leaving that place!

We had mandatory meetings, where people were called in on their days off last year. It involved redundancy. The idea was that all staff would be informed at the same time.

I have to say, at the moment, I’d be thinking corona..

I’ve already had the meeting, nothing important. I’m just annoyed I was told I had to attend.

If it wasn’t important it was definitely unreasonable to make you attend. Did they not realise it’s your day off? Can you at least invoice for it to make a point?

Hang on - it wasn’t my day off? I’m FT! I thought lunch times were supposed to be protected.

Oh.. sorry, I completely misread your OP. I think I was thinking about my colleagues who were called in on their days off last year..

I'm sure I've read somewhere that stupidly teachers are allowed only one 20 min break legally at some point in the day....which I still can't get my head around as it's madness!!!

My office often holds meetings at lunchtime which is annoying but they are usually at 12-1 or 1-2 so you would still take lunch between 12 and 2

If you just have a lunch hour then that’s not right

Did you get enough notice do you could take in lunch to eat in then or another time?

FeckaDecka - the law says anyone working is entitled to a 20 minute break every 6 hours they work, so for most people, that would be one 20 minute break a day, unless people are working in excess of 12 hours a day.

Teachers went on strike in the 80s (I think) for the right to a lunchtime.

We are paid at break time so can be made to do break duties but aren’t paid at lunch so they can’t make us do a lunch duty or do lunchtime meetings.

@hallamoo you're obviously not a teacher...fecking hell I'd have gone postal as would many others if that was the only break I got as a teacher day in day out 😂

FeckaDecka - no not a teacher, work just as hard in a school tho. A usually day for me is around 10 hours.

I honestly don't know what I'd do with a whole hour for lunch.

Most people work jobs sat at a desk, behind a cashier's desk, in a factory or office not dealing with 30+ kids with all sorts of individual needs, issues, challenges, behavioural problems, whilst teaching and having the responsibility and accountability for their progress etc etc etc

@hallamoo that's not the point I'm making. Having a loo break or mental break in some professional roles is important and often overlooked by lots of people and by the sounds of it you to.

I know what I'd do as a teacher if I had an hour's lunch break, eat and drink to to the loo then turn round and catch up or try to on the constant paperwork and marking and I'd still never clear my desk. But like most schools we get half an hour at lunch so that's a dream!!!

Most people work jobs sat at a desk, behind a cashier's desk, in a factory or office not dealing with 30+ kids with all sorts of individual needs, issues, challenges, behavioural problems, whilst teaching and having the responsibility and accountability for their progress etc etc etc

Why is it always a competition. Yes the job is hard, but so are thousands of others

@Greysparkles because we've fought hard for our rights and will continue to do so

I honestly don't know what I'd do with a whole hour for lunch.

Most schools don’t have an hour for lunch any more.

As for what to do, photocopying, a bit of marking, planning P5, report writing, discussions with colleagues.

Our staffroom is empty at lunchtime.

That doesn’t mean that meetings can be scheduled for then.

Hang on - it wasn’t my day off? I’m FT! I thought lunch times were supposed to be protected

Lunchtimes are protected.

Next time email: I'm unable to make this meeting, but do send me the minutes.
If they press: It's my lunchtime, so I'm not able to make this meeting, but do send me the minutes of the meeting.
If they press again: I am not liable for any school duties during lunchtime, but do send me the minutes of the meeting.

'Noblegiraffe
As for what to do, photocopying, a bit of marking, planning P5, report writing, discussions with colleagues.'

'FeckaDecka
I know what I'd do as a teacher if I had an hour's lunch break, eat and drink to to the loo then turn round and catch up or try to on the constant paperwork and marking and I'd still never clear my desk.'

So, neither of you are taking an hour for lunch then? You're working in your lunch 'break'.

Obviously breaks are important for everyone at work, professional or otherwise. I'm lucky if I get to eat a sandwich without someone interrupting me and asking me a non-urgent question!

Teachers are not the only profession who have employment rights.

I have a 30 minute lunchtime meeting once a fortnight. I also have to do a 30 minute lunch duty once a week. We get an hour lunch break.

@hallamoo you've missed our points but that was expected 😂

FeckaDecka - I'm really not. I understand that breaks are important. I understand that being a teacher is hard. The point I'm making is that a break for an hour is a luxury for most (including teachers).

The OP could go to a meeting for half an hour and still have a half an hour lunch break. (In most primaries the children still have an hour for lunch). If secondary with only a half an hour break, then no, OP shouldn't have to go to a meeting in the lunch break. (Except in emergency circumstances).

I would never expect my staff to work through their lunch regularly, but having said that, I usually don't get to eat my lunch until 3pm!

The OP could go to a meeting for half an hour and still have a half an hour lunch break. (In most primaries the children still have an hour for lunch). If secondary with only a half an hour break, then no, OP shouldn't have to go to a meeting in the lunch break. (Except in emergency circumstances)

The lunch break for teachers is unpaid.

And in my experience, these who call lunchtime meetings always consider it an emergency. Which it never is.

Everyone's lunch break is unpaid!