Request for reduction in hours after mat leave has turned into school increasing my working days

[PartTimeTeacher]

I'm a primary teacher currently on maternity leave until May. Before I had baby number 2, I worked 3 full days (Mon-Wed), which has been the case for around 3 years.  

I requested, to reduce my hours further to two full days. My request was declined citing that they think they would find if difficult to find cover for the day I wouldn't be working. To be clear, the role isn't a job share (although there is another PT teacher working two days in other KS unit so our hours can be combined to make a full time role should it ever be needed). The current set up means I am one of 4 teachers across Y5/6 so they technically wouldn't need to find anyone if I reduced my hours as there is enough staff in the unit. And if they were really worried about covering all of my hours, surely they would have hired a maternity cover post, which they didn't?!

Anyway, I got a separate email from a member of SLT a few days later saying they are restructuring my hours. They have told me (without any warning/consultation) I have to work Monday, Tuesday AND Thursday morning and Wednesday would remain a full day. This means I'll be teaching maths, reading and writing exclusively in UKS2. The pressure and expectations will be insane and I don't have any foundation subjects to break the teaching up.

I know they are legally allowed to change my days but this has been playing on my mind so much since I found out. It's causing so much stress and anxiety and feel really distraught that they've taken an extra day from me and my child. I just want to vent and to see if anyone in Primary has this working pattern? If you do, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

[mrsnjw]

How would that work for childcare? I don't think any nurseries would offer a morning place only so you'd be paying for four days childcare but working time wise three days.

[PartTimeTeacher]

@mrsnjw, I'll be using the same nursery as I did with my eldest, which, very fortunately, does offer just am/pm sessions. I've already paid my deposit and set my days (places are competitive) so I'm going to hope they'll allow me to change them! 🤞🏻

Childcare is an issue in other ways though. I've managed to organise family to pitch in and help with school pick-ups for my eldest for Mon/Tue, which now won't be needed! It'll also mean I'm paying for an extra days breakfast club for him, too.

My other thought was that I'll be stuck paying for a full days nursery fees on occasions where I'd be expected to go back into work for parents evenings etc. I of course I won't be paid any extra for this so would be at a financial loss then!

None of that takes into account that I currently have my neice for a couple of hours on a Thursday and now am going to have to let BIL down too!

[Mistyhill]

Are they allowed to change your days? Have you check with your union? It sounds very frustrating.

[PartTimeTeacher]

@Mistyhill, they've built a flexibility clause into my contract which gives them the right to change my days. My union thinks therefore that it's pretty cut and dry.

I've been looking into it further though and in some circumstances you can argue they've acted against mutual trust (can't remember exact phrase). I'll be calling ACAS today to see if they can offer any insights and what next steps should be.

Hopefully I have the grounds to argue against the change since the days are specified in my contract, they haven't offered any consultation and it doesn't suit my childcare needs.