If this virus is here to stay and will affect those who are ‘vulnerable’

[Appuskidu]

I wonder if this would ever have an impact on who heads hire?

I’ve seen on countless threads by people (who generally seem to hate teachers) saying that if teachers are too unwell to come back to work in this situation, they should resign or be sacked as they are not up to the job.

I have known loads of teachers who have returned after having cancer, a few after transplants and tonnes with diabetes and severe asthma or lung damage. Their health conditions haven’t ever stopped them being good teachers, but now-some people think, they shouldn’t be in the job if they can’t come back to work now.

Is that just people being unkind behind the anonymous protection of a keyboard or could it get to the point that heads might consider out of their three possible candidates for a job that one has severe asthma, one lives with a partner who is recovering from cancer and a third who has a clear bill of health so opt for that one because I’d there’s another outbreak, they won’t need to shield for 12 weeks.

I hope not! Plus obviously, none of us know what’s round the corner and anyone ‘seemingly’ healthy may not be forever.

Am not a journalist or anything, just a teacher musing!!

No because this would be outrageously discriminatory

Teachers are apparently fine to be exposed to the virus in order for parents to go back to work, and for those who can't cope with their own kids (but expect others to).

Social distancing is impossible in schools, especially primary and many teachers are vulnerable or have vulnerable family members. Schools should be the last thing returning to normal imo.

Sorry, went off on a tangent there, it may well be discriminatory in the letter of the law, but having to prove that it was that which had influenced decisions about staff may be harder to do.

I sincerely hope not. I'm in the shielded group and work in a school. I have not had one day off sick for 13 years. I am devastated that I can't pitch in at school at the moment and will be completely destroyed if I can't return to my job one day.

@MaureenMLove🌷

@Appuskidu. I have seen lots of posts like that too - they're an utter disgrace. Clearly posted by idiots who have no idea what they're talking about. But what's new with regard to talking about teachers/teaching 🤷🏻‍♀️

I'm NOT A teacher by the way...

It SHOULD go without saying that there are many fantastic teachers & many of them will have underlying health issues, as a huge percentage of the population does.

As for hiring. I imagine for some HT's recruiting internally it will be a factor - you can't 'unknow' something and they're going to be massively under pressure to keep schools open with fewer staff & fewer, but I would hope the best person for the job will get it, but possibly their medical situation will be part of that consideration for continuity of teaching?!

External recruiting shouldn't change because surely teachers aren't required to disclose their medical history?

We are required to disclose health conditions but not generally before being interviewed and given the job, if applying for an external post. Some schools’ application forms ask how many days off sick you’ve had in a specified period.

Schools employ a LOT of women under 40 who are prone to having babies and taking a year off at a time. I think if they're prepared to do that, then those vulnerable to coco's will be fine. It employs all those who are vulnerable to diabetes or flu or stroke etc. I don't think you could fill the spaces of you only hired those you thought wouldn't ever need more than 3 days off for a case of covid
Everyone they're a lockdown peak those teachers are the ones who work from home setting and marking work. Rest of the time the risk will balance it with all the other risks to teachers going off.

It won't always be at this high a rate

Some schools’ application forms ask how many days off sick you’ve had in a specified period

That’s true- time off sick within the last 5 years was on my recent job application form. So, if heads had that question (once the schools reopen and people didn’t go back), it would show up there for the next 5 years.