Made to feel guilty about extra hours.

[maidamess]

I work in a school part time as a TA supporting a little boy who has an educational statement.

I was approached by my Head to do some extra hours to support another child who has just received a statement. I am doing 3 extra afternoons a week on a temporary basis until they find someone permanent.

The other TA's seem to have a real problem with me doing these extra hours. I know they do not have much spare money and live in council accomodation.

But in 2 separate conversations I have heard how one feels she doesn't have 'a role' anymore at the school and can't afford to pay for hot dinners for her son unless she gets extra hours.
Another was at great pains to tell me how much in debt she was and so needed extra hours. FWIW while we are not on the breadline, we never have ANY spare cash at the end of the month.

Surely the Head would have asked them if they were the right people for the job?

I think they think I am posh ( I so am not, Primark all the way). I am studying for my HLTA and this has put some noses out of joint too, as I have not been there that long.

I don't know what to say to these women!

You don't need to say anything to them - the head asked you to work more, and that obv means that they think you are the right person, not the others. You aren't responsible for their financial situations.

Just make sympathetic noises if they talk about it, and don't worry.

...I think this issue with the head?
They have pissed off the other TAs by asking you so did not handle talking to the other TAs very well.

I think the reason they are so pissed off is that they were not asked at all.

I have tried to make sympathetic noises but get fed up with them trying to make it my problem, when it isn't! I hate being made to feel guilty for being given more responsibilty.

Crap innit? That there is such a gap between what they have decided I am and what I actually am.