Owing PPA time

[StrongTea22]

Posted on another thread in error!
I am contracted for 3.25 hours in adult education.

I’m an NQT and over 40 so not totally green.

For this contract I should teach for 2.30hours the remainder is PPA time

But, they’ve given me a 2 hour class and I only get 30 mins PPA time and my employers are banking the remainder of PPA time as time owed.

For classroom displays, teaching whatever…

I’m a bit fed up as I’ve just asked to drop my hours as I hate owing hours, I need to know my days and plan for that. I don’t want to be paid for it but it just changes the dynamics of being able to ask for anything when you constantly ‘owe’ your employers.

Done over your cpd hours? Can’t ask to be paid…you owe us!

Does anyone have any advice

@Orchid876

Oh I see, what was discussed when you accepted the position? We're certain days/duties only discussed? Was it made clear that you might be needed on any days/for any duties? You could argue that the contract you have been given doesn't reflect what was agreed. After all, you could be unavailable with other commitments on your days off.

Yes I need to be a bit more assertive, but it’s a fine line isn’t it sometimes…

They expect us to be flexible (non working days etc) so that they can then in turn be flexible when we need it.

Basically, contractually it’s terrible because we can be asked to work ANY day. As that’s when they are open, stinks not sure if school contracts explicitly set out days of work?

I think there definitely needs to be some thought out into what they ask us to do outside of our working days.

Surely that just wouldn't work for the majority of part timers though? They would have other commitments / no childcare on their non-contracted days. Is no one else in the same situation as you?

You are contracted to work 3.25 hours (or 195 mins)

20% of this is the PPA - 39 mins

Currently you teach for 2 hours and get 30 mins ppa (150 mins)

Leaving - 45 mins of which 9 is PPA - so every week you owe them 36 minutes teaching time.

How long are the lessons they are asking you to run?

If the lesson is 45 mins - then 4x 45 minutes lesson is equivalent in teaching time to 5 x36 minutes you owe so if you 'cover' 4 lessons then have one off - you would be getting the right pay and PPA for your hours.

(5x36 = 180 hours and 4x 45= 180 hours)

Thanks everyone.

Yeah I’m not on my own. It’s hard isn’t it as for some it’s a lot of money to lose (to pay back) so they are doing things like office admin/social media to make up the time. I KNOW!

So for some staff (no kids/older families) they sort of go along with the set up as they want the pay.

The additional days is hard as they can ask us to work any (adult Ed chops and changes courses a lot more termly) so we can either go and be told it’s complulsory or fight, every time.

@watingroom2

You are contracted to work 3.25 hours (or 195 mins)

20% of this is the PPA - 39 mins

Currently you teach for 2 hours and get 30 mins ppa (150 mins)

Leaving - 45 mins of which 9 is PPA - so every week you owe them 36 minutes teaching time.

How long are the lessons they are asking you to run?

If the lesson is 45 mins - then 4x 45 minutes lesson is equivalent in teaching time to 5 x36 minutes you owe so if you 'cover' 4 lessons then have one off - you would be getting the right pay and PPA for your hours.

(5x36 = 180 hours and 4x 45= 180 hours)

Yes and if, IF! this is was what they were doing that would be fine, but they aren’t.

I’ve got my appraisal in a week or so but I am looking for other jobs. I’d rather be paid £2 less an hour and have a job I leave at work.

And it varies so for instance…I owe say 5 hours.

I’m asked to do an additional teaching set for day like fun sessions to recruit students, it will have to be on a day I don’t work or a Saturday.

Could be a 2 hour session? So prep before and clear down after, say a good hour…

As far as I know the PPA time is not accounted for (in terms of my time) so for that, I’d it’s not deducted from my time owed, I’ve worked for nothing.

It’s all a bit crazy and I need to get a better handle on not owing anything and being able to say no.