Sorry to talk shop on a Sunday

[threelittlesnowdrops]

Am stewing over this in anticipation of what tomorrow will bring.

Had issues last term with manager (am a teacher at an FE college) but thought was sorted out and progressing nicely. Had a minor op scheduled beginning of Jan and had subsequent time off sick.

When I returned my manager informed me that they had a letter from my GP to Occy Health in Dec, as I am really stressed about work and being treated for depression. Until I spoke to OH I would be team teaching for most of my lessons as a supportive measure.

The problem is that I am not team teaching at all. I am not allowed to have input to the sessions and generate teaching strategies. I am not involved in the planning or delivery at all. I am not allowed to address the groups. I am allowed to give out hand outs however. I feel demoralised, humilaited, usurped. God knows what the students think. I am not even involved as much as a TA would be- rather sitting and listening to other teacher as if a member of the class. Final straw was my colleague announcing to one of my classes that she had "taken over" the class- in front of me.

We are without a union rep atm. Should I raise these issues with my manager in the morning before classes, or wait until I have spoken to someone from the union's regional office?

Sorry this is brief, hope it makes sense as I had written a big message out and lost it and am on way out so rushing. Background is in this topic under my name or threelittlebabies/bangers/gifts.

Am not being rude if don't respond- will be back later. Would really appreciate some advice.

TIA

Am back from shopping. Has no one any advice for me?!

well, no advice ,i;m afraid, but i know that for any disciplinary hearings you are allowed a union rep or colleague with you

have you spoken to ACAS?

sorry you are having an awful time

Did you give them permission to contact your GP for a medical report?

Unsure why they would need a medical report if you were coming back to work after your op.

Had you been having other time off due to depression?

Lulu is right - you do have the right to a rep in official hearings. If you don't have one at the moment, it is your employers responsibility to hep you find one, ie from another site for example.

Sorry - just re-read your post. I'm guessing you were suffering depression and your employer contacted your gp to establish whether there was anything they could do to help you.

Don't see why they have changed your role before you have seen OH and without speaking to you. In my company we get the medical report and the meet with the employee to discuss it to see if there's anything we can do to help the employee, ie reduced hrs, change of role etc. these changes are usually temporary until the employee is feeling better.

Do you have an HR dept? Suggest you speak to them first to arrange a meeting to discuss your gp letter.

ACAS website

thanks lulu and poppiesmum.

I asked my gp to write to Occy Health in light of all the crap I went through last term, and because I wasnt coping too well with things at work. This got worse after xmas with my depression.

I just dont think that what they are doing is working out as supportive, especially as it makes me feel and look like a knob in front of students and staff.

Think I will try and calmly discuss it with my boss in the morning, but know I will just get his stock answer that we should leave things until I talk to OH (who I have yet to hear from). Won't be talking to HR again tbh- they are not helpful. The adviser I saw last week told me to do some exercise to help with my stomach/bowel condition!

yes, did you get a diagnosis?

lulu my follow up is not till April but they said they couldnt see anything so just assume IBS. Never knew it could be this restrictive though.

I wouldn't suggest changing an employees role without consulting her first - they should have met with you when the gp letter arrived. I would speak to Acas and they will advise the best course of action to get things going at work. Have you got ideas about what they can do to support you?

well, that is good in a way as anything like crohns or ulcerative colitis is visible at the time of the procedure...

although IBS is deeply unpleasant too. have you any meds?

If you are unhappy with what they are asking you to do, then just go back and say that you want to return to your original role until you meet with OH. It is your job and they can't refuse.

(sorry to keep splitting my posts, have got dinner on and a hyperactive 1 yo dd in the background! )

PoppiesMum- we did have a meeting where they put the team teaching thing to me, and I agreed, as I thought it would be supportive and enable me to gain perspective from my co-teacher and allow me to plan and deliver with advice from another teacher. Had I known I was effectively the housekeeper I would not have agreed. I am in the process of getting a mentor, and think that will be supportive.

Actually lulu, after the initial unpleasantness after the colonoscopy, my stomach is a lot better. I am avoiding fibre as much as possible, and really know about it if I inadvertently have any! No meds atm- mebeverine was ineffective, and I use imodium of necessary.

Poppiesmum- I dont want to go back to my full role atm, as it was too much for me to cope with due to the depression. I would sit down to plan a lesson and just freak out panicking. Also am still finishing PGCE, so appreciate the support in lightening workload, if thats what their true intention was. I offered to reduce sole planning to 2/4 lessons and team teach the other 2/4 but boss said no- with my A2 class there are "other issues" which he does not wish to discuss in light of my present health until OH have got involved.

Told you my op was brief!

I wish you luck with your meeting - it sounds like they think they are trying to be supportive but haven't realised how it is making you feel. Good luck with ACAS.

thanks poppiesmum. I could be being paranoid, but imo they are making sure they take all the right steps, or are seen to be doing so, because ultimately they are looking to get rid of me

Will ring ACAS and union tomorrow, and see how I feel about speaking to boss