How flexible could I expect my employer to be? Back to teaching after long term sickness

[NedSchneebly]

I am a teacher, and am currently signed off, receiving treatment for breast cancer. I was diagnosed in January, and will not realistically be back until September, with the rest of my chemo and radiotherapy to get through.

I have decided that I want to reduce my full time timetable, down to 0.8. Can I request that the 0.2 reduction is spread over 2/3 afternoons, so that I teach every morning but have time "off" in the afternoons, or can school insist that I have one full day off? Having cancer has made me reevaluate what's important and would also like to be able to pick up DS from school and have more time with him. I would get more time with him if I had 2/3 afternoons off, rather than a whole day, as he is at school.

Also, what might occupational health suggest in terms of a phased return? How does this usually work?

I have a meeting with my boss tomorrow to discuss this.

I think they can be as flexible as they want to be. Dd1 had two teachers in year 2. They both did two full days and shared the 3rd day every other week.
As a parent im not sure how happy I would be if teacher was only there in morning, and another in pm.

When my mum was looking at reducing her hours teaching (although was a few years ago) she was offered the chance to work all mornings so presume its possible. Problem may be that its not a lot of time you want off, the school may struggle to cover the time youre not there compared to if you were either off a full day each week, or all 5 afternoons.

My mum turned it down when she was offered it, as she knew she'd end up staying in work to do her paperwork in the afternoons and would end up still bein roped into all sorts, so this may be something to take into consideration. Hope the rest of the treatment goes smoothly for you.

You can expect them to be as flexible as the fit note says.

Thanks for responding

lisa my school uses specialist staff from our partner secondary school to cover PPA time so my current class have a different teacher for PE, French and technology. I think parents are used to different staff being involved in teaching their kids, but I do hear what you're saying.

Thanks rockchick - treatment will all be done by the end of July. Can't wait!

hairytale would my GP be that specific on my sick note, dictating working hours?

Oops assumed you were Junior or infant. In which case sounds fine

I didn't say, lisa, so you could have assumed anything! I started off the year teaching year 6, but not sure what head might give me next year, given SATs pressure and not knowing how I am going to get on being back at work.

Ah! I thought you meant your treatment would carry on after your return. If thats the case ie you are still unwell then a Gp could advise a phased return on part time hours, but it sounds more like you are wanting to put in a FWR because you want more time with your child?

If you're putting in a FWR then you can't expect any flexibility. You cam ask for any flexibility (shorter days, different hours, fewer days etc) but if your employer has good business reasons, they can refuse.

Good luck.

Thanks hairy I guess it's a bit of both - wanting to pace myself and give myself some time to rest during the week, which will give me a chance to get back to full fitness quicker, but also be around for DS a bit more.

FWR = flexible working request, I think?

Will have to wait and see what boss says tomorrow.

Good luck Ned. Love your name, remember it's a long way to the top (If you wanna rock n' roll)!