Would appreciate opinions on this - not sure if I am being too militant on working hours….
i currently work as a TA. Hours are 8.30 to 3.15. School finish time is staggered from 3pm to 3.15 across year groups. It’s always been a sticking point in that (especially if you work in an older year group) our contracted hours are until 3.15 yet it’s not actually possible to leave at that time as the children are being dismissed then you tidy the classroom/do admin etc. If you are on end of day gate duty you are there to 3.30
and then have to tidy classroom etc.
From September our school hours are extending so all year groups will finish at 3.30. We have asked what will happen to our contracted hours and were told “it’s in the budget, you will get paid until 3.30”
In reality we won’t ever get to leave at 3.30. Again dismissing children/admin. And again if you are on the gate it will be even longer. I feel our wages are so low to expect you to work longer that your contracted hours is a bit unfair. In reality you could get out 15/20 mins after the school day - so I am being too fussy about working a small amount of unpaid overtime per day ?
just to add - most TAs at my school stay for 30
mins to an hour after school most days (out of goodwill, unpaid as they are very dedicated) but to make it impossible to get out at the time you are paid until seems unfair. Is this normal practice for TAs?