Open day vs wedding

[flumposie]

My school have just released the calendar for next year and our open day is on the same day as a wedding I am attending. The 2 overlap ( wedding at 1pm ) we get a day off in lieu of the open day which is actually one of my half days anyway. Can my school make me work the open day ?

[Mistressiggi]

Had you already got time off for the wedding agreed? If you are not at the open day, is that a big gap for them? (Depends what your role is)

[iamtopazmortmain]

I am assuming they have put an Open Day into a day that was previously a holiday? They can't just put something in at the last minute. Calendars are supposed to be agreed a year in advance and should not be changed without consultation. A decent management would have the calendar drawn up in about late June, shown to union reps for consultation and then finalised before break up in July.

Are you primary or secondary? Is there someone else in the dept that could do the Open Day?

[CarrieBlue]

Fairly sure open days are not directed time - at least open evenings couldn’t be, they are run on goodwill. At least if you’re still on burgundy book conditions

[flumposie]

The open day is on a Saturday.

[iamtopazmortmain]

Is this a state school? If so I don't see how they could possibly insist you work on a Saturday - I don't see how you could have a day off in lieu? How does that work with the students - or do they give you a training day in lieu?

I would be getting in touch with my union if they insist

[flumposie]

@iamtopazmortmain state school and always given an inset day off in lieu.

[Mistressiggi]

But inset is meant for staff development and training - how does an open day count as that??
Are you saying if you attend the full open day you personally only get a half day back?
You need to let them know you have a wedding and cannot attend the open day this year. What can they actually say about it since it's the weekend? You can work for your half day inset instead, from home if the school is shut.

[iamtopazmortmain]

When did they let you know? In the middle of the summer holiday? Totally unacceptable - we all have lives and cannot be expected to put them hold until management get their act together. If they want to take a Saturday from you (and that is something I have never heard of before!) then that surely can only be with the agreement of the staff and with plenty of prior notice. I would be surprised if you are the only one that this causes issues for. I would be talking to my union - but then I have three decades of teaching behind me and no longer give a damn about putting my head above the parapit - I know not everyone can do that.

You have my sympathies - I hope this isn't just the tip of the iceberg of other problems in school.

[Fifthtimelucky]

Teachers in maintained schools cannot be required to work on Saturdays unless their contracts specifically say so.

That's no help if you are in an Academy though.

[Cleopatra05]

I've had very similar in the past, Open Days are on Saturdays at my school. In 14 years, I've missed 2 for weddings, one of a close friend and the other was my sibling's wedding. School were absolutely fine about it. I spoke to the Head on both occasions as soon as I realised the clash. Speak to your line manager as soon as you can. I am sure that it will be fine.

[Wishihadanalgorithm]

At an indie and missed two open days (also Saturdays). One for a wedding of a friend the other end of the country and the other for my 40th birthday. Each time there was no problem. We do the open days as an added extra though, no time off in lieu.

Now the calendar is out go and talk to your line manager or even directly to the head if you can. If you have already made special arrangements for this day then it isn’t a malicious desire to stay away is it?