Cover not good enough

[sam32165]

Had my first sick day last week I was very ill. Cover manager emailed me back saying my cover I set was not good enough! It was an ICT lesson and involved using computers which they use every lesson. She said my cover should have been paper based not computer related. She was quite angry about it. New school but I’m an experienced teacher. What to make of this and any advice?

Just got context I’ve heard she called people up whilst they were in sick leave to dena d they send in cover work

for context not got*

Was she angry or just an email where its difficult to get the tone?

Are you an ICT teacher? Is there a dept policy on cover?

I'd email back with a polite and breezy, sorry I didn't realise that was the school policy, future work will be paper based. Unless she then came back I'd move on.
Different places have different expectations of cover.

Were you asked to set work while you were off sick or was this cover work prepared in advance?

I was sick do I set this cover work last minute whilst I was really ill. I called her back to discuss but she was very short with me S f said she doesn’t have time. She asked me if I would have set the same cover in my last school and I said yes! She then said she’s too busy to discuss and ended the call.

I worked in my last school for 10 years and worked in several others on supply basis. I’ve never dealt with a character like her. Very blunt and a tad aggressive. I’ve spent most of my weekend upset and I feel apprehensive to take another day off dick again.

So sorry for typos! I’m using my phone.

Does the dozy mare not it get that that if you're ill you don't have to set cover at all? It's a welcome courtesy that all teachers do but they don't have to. She should not be contacting you at all when you're ill.

Ask for a copy of the cover policy when you get back.

@echt thank you. It’s a new school so they kind of take the piss. I’m tempted to speak to union about this as it’s just one of many things that have happened. But I also don’t want to create issues for myself as I just joined in September!

You should not have to set work when off sick!!!

All teachers do not do this and shouldn’t feel they ought to be setting cover work while off sick.
You should be left in peace to recover, and not contacted at home while off sick.

But I also don’t want to create issues for myself as I just joined in September

Is this a permanent contract? If so, don't hesitate. Draw that line in the sand. They won't like you, but won't feck you around again. They don't like you now/treat all newbies like shite, so nothing to lose.

While I'm here, as union rep in my school in. Au., never hesitate to contact your union; you may not need or want to acton their advice, but best to know.

Dob in the horrid cover manager, they'll have form this for sure, and SLT may well be waiting for more evidence. Do it anyway, rude sod.

Oh gosh the second post is awful, she clearly doesn't know the official rules re cover.

I agree that if this is a new post, draw your line in the sand and say no.

I know the cover situation has been difficult in schools this year but there's no excuse for this.

Thank you everyone for the support. I’m going on tomorrow but feel so anxious incase she tells me off again and makes an issue. Weird set up in this school as she’s the cover manager and SLT! It’s a very small school not even full at capacity yet as new so it’s difficult for everyone.

She sounds just like an SLT character I used to work with. Truly vile. You didn’t even need to set cover.

How did you get on @sam32165

@Hercwasonaroll sorry it’s been a hectic week, only just seen your message. It was okay, tbh I’ve kept myself to myself and avoided any contact. I’m having serious doubts about this school. I can’t work with aggressive SLT people like this one. I don’t know what to do. There’s not much jobs out there and I cannot juggle supply with childcare as it’s difficult. I did supply before

It sounds like a relatively new place if you're not at capacity. It may just be someone trying to "make their mark".

What subject are you?

I'd keep your options open. Keep looking and something will come up. Meanwhile like you say, keep your head down.

I would be applying for jobs elsewhere. Her character would have me running for the hills.