PLEASE HELP: School trying to change my 'shift pattern' out of the blue

[PartTimeTeacher]

Sorry if this is a bit long but wanted to give some context:

I'm a teacher currently on maternity leave, working part time. Before I had baby number 2, I worked 3 full days (Mon-Wed).

I requested, back in January/February, to reduce my hours further to two full days as I've always struggled with workload and expectations. I didn't think this would be an issue as I'm technically an 'extra body' across Y5/6 and not part of a class job-share as such. Happy to go into more detail if necessary.

However, my request was declined citing that they think they would find if difficult to find cover the day I dropped day.

I got a separate email on Friday from a member of SLT saying they are restructuring my hours. They now want me to work Monday, Tuesday AND Thursday morning and Wednesday would remain a full day. be annoyed because this wasn't a request, they've told me I am now doing this. There was no indication before this point that they might change my days and it's now less than 3 months until I return to work. It doesn't fit with my current schedule and we have a planned activity on Thursday morning that I wanted to continue after I returned to work. Plus, I think my workload would be increased, after I asked for it to be reduced.

I've emailed HR to get a copy of my contract. I've submitted a request to my union through their enquiry page - they will apparently get back to me 'shortly' but who knows how long that actually is.

I'm feeling so stressed and with my return to work being imminent, I'm worried I'll have no choice but to do what they say even though I think it's unreasonable.

Each full time teacher is contracted for 1265 hours- so each year the school school provide a breakdown of how this is made up- contact time, staff meetings, parents evenings, PPA , CPD days etc etc. This is directed time.

When you drop to part-time you should receive an individual calculation. So if you work part-time either everything is pro-rata so you might do a pro-rata less of everything or you might do all of the parents evenings, CPD days and less teaching time etc. Which is why 3 days a week isn't always paid at 60% of full salary.

So if you work 3/5ths it might be 759 hours. If you have 190 contact/PPA days which are morning for example this may be 8.50-12 so already 589 (hope that maths is right). Pm might only be 1-3.15 contact/PPA so 427.50.

So if you are paid 60% then based on 1265 you have 759 hours for everything that is directed time. The unions have advice. Academies also generally follow teachers pay and conditions around 1265.

https://neu.org.uk/advice/your-rights-work/workload-and-working-hours/directed-time

Supply teachers doing a PM only are usually paid less than those doing an AM only.

https://neu.org.uk/latest/library/directed-time-and-how-tackle-workload-your-school#:~:text=Directed%20time%20calendar%20example&text=Supervisory%20duties%20(includes%20ten%20minutes,end%20of%20the%20school%20day.)&text=Contingency%20(a%20cushion%20of%20time%20available%20for%20unforeseen%20circumstances.)

Directed time generally starts about 10 mins before the start of the school day and has some time at the end to see children out etc

@SaggyCushionCover, thank you - really helpful! I'm contracted 16.5hrs which is pro-rata but has worked out in the past that I've been expected to to as much as a full time member of staff in certain aspects. For example, writing as many parents evening reports, doing the same number of break duties etc. I'm really going to push for this to not happen when I return, especially since it's become clear that SLT aren't considering what's best for my circumstances and are just expecting me to get on with it. Plus, I ended up with only 30 mins of PPA time each week because our team leader isinisted the the other hour was a team meeting.

I'll definitely talk through any implications with my union so I can be armed with the facts when I respond.

Thank you again for taking the time to write everything down!

You need a written statement of your current and planned directed time.

I wanted to post an update for anyone that may come across this in future as it may be helpful.

I contacted HR this morning and my contract sets out my working days as Monday- Wednesday but is followed by the following clause:

The school reserves the right to alter your working pattern as necessary on reasonable notice for the proper performance of your duties.

I contacted my union who have confirmed that the school are therefore able to alter my working days to include Thursday. The union said my only other option would be to appeal the inital decision to decline my request to further reduce my hours. I will be doing so.

Teaching is one of whose jobs which I generally sound encouraging about. But I hear more and more stories like this. Why would anyone work for a school and get low pay and no flexibility whatsoever. Once the public sector jobs lose their work life balance advantages, we are sunk!

@AprilHandiwork, it sounds like it's becoming an increasing problem. My union are fighting the flexibility clause for someone else in my county too. As you say, I think it'll have a really big impact on my work-life balance and metal health as a result. Not to mention the fact that they've shown no appreciation for my situation and haven't been in any way courteous by offering an in-person meeting to discuss the change. Urgh! What a way to spend the remaining time of my maternity leave...