Return to work negotiations after Mat leave

[Pinksnow21]

Im due to go back to work in the next few weeks following Mat leave.

I know that the person that has been covering my role is very keen to stay on.
I have been made aware of a situation they have created which seems like a very calculated move to push me out.

They have put themselves forward to clean 20 toilets daily which they have been doing now for months.
My job description does state adhoc cleaning,
So technically cleaning the toilets is covered by that wording.

They have been tactical by volunteering themselves for that knowing it's way beyond my remit - the extent of my cleaning duties in the past has been very light, just emptying the dishwasher occasionally or running a cloth over the worktops.

I am certain this has been done in the hope HR put it to me to continue their toilet duty, then I refuse to the point I potentially leave which leaves the coast clear for them.

I am wondering whether I have a leg to stand on to argue with this decision considering the wording in my job description?
If I'm unable to rectify this, my job will go from one I enjoy and am enthused for, to one I find soul destroying with zero motivation.

Maybe they have put themselves forward to clean the toilets in attempt to be kept on as an additional employee. After all if you didn't ever clean 20 toilets them doing so isn't taking your job unless I've misunderstood. Maybe don't panic until you have actually spoken to someone about your return and what you will be doing. What is your actual job? It sounds like the cleaning was just a little ad hoc part of it not your actual main role.

That could be true, that they want to be an additional employee.
However I feel like it's backfired now because they have proven themselves to have the capability of doing those toilets as well as my other duties, so will expect the same from me rather than paying an extra employee to carry that out. They are all about saving money where they can.
My role is support staff at a secondary school.

I'm awaiting on HR to get back to me but just trying to prepare myself and get as informed as i possibly can for what I expect to unfold.

Who cleaned the toilets before you went on mat leave?

if your job description doesn’t say you don’t clean toilets then of course they can expect you to.

Given how cash strapped schools are, reducing how much separate cleaning they have to pay for seems sensible.

They have a team of cleaners in the evenings however the toilets in question are new since I went on mat leave and my cover has been maintaining the cleanliness of them through out the day.

My job description does state cleaning - that's the issue I have. So I'm not sure whether I'm in any position to argue this situation or not.

You don’t have a leg to stand on here really, it does say this in your contract, it’s proven that it can be done within your role & so it’s a reasonable expectation

I think if cleaning is in your job description then unless you have any particular reason such as a health condition that means you can't carry out the task you don't have much of a case.

Yes this is what my expectation is.. I'm absolutely dreading going back now.

Just sounds like someone who’s happy to do what’s in her contract
sounds like upto now you’ve managed to dodge it
doesn’t seem underhanded
at the end of the day it’s your job nobody Is forcing you to you out by making you go what your paid for

When is your mat cover cleaning the toilets? Are they doing this in time that they could be supporting the children? I guess that could be your argument that supporting the children within the classroom should be your first priority and cleaning duties should be minimal and done around your main duties. Cleaning 20 toilets isn’t going to be a quick ten minute job.

Are you more qualified or experienced than the member of staff covering you? I would try to sell the value you bring to the classroom and how your skills are far more useful to the school in being in the classroom than they are cleaning loos.

However if your mat cover is managing to fulfil all of the original elements of the role and clean the toilets as well I think it will be difficult to argue that you can’t.