Please advise I am desperate this weekend....

[bigbaubleeyes]

I am suffering from depression, I have had an abnormal liver function test come back on thursday and awaiting results of a follow up smear test as first was abnormal.

I started teaching inmy current school in Sept 2007 on a temporary contract, this was made permant in Feb 2008, then I went part time in Sept 2008.

They have asked me what my intentions are as there are not enough hours in the departments i teach in to offer me my current 0.4 contract, yet other people have been employed as full time since.

Could anyone advise me what my rights are?

This on top of everything else is making me feel quite bad I have been up most of night.

I am desperate anyone??? The sense of rejection is awful

I don't have any advice but didn't want to leave this unanswered as you sound very desperate.

Do you have a DH/DP and children?

I would advise you to call the Acas employment advisory service helpline and they will certainly be able to tekk you where you stand.

Have you a history of drinking hence liver test? If so try not to worry if you can stop your levels may well return to normal in a short time. As for the smear if you have had regular ones nothing to worry about - at worst you could have precancerous changes which can easily be treated. As for depression are you on medication if not see gp and try a ssri they can really help. Sorry I know nothing about employment issues. Try and get some sleep you may wake up feeling a bit stronger xx

Yes Anna I have DH and DS (nrly 3) - DH cant understand why i worry so much I feel like going into work and giving them what for (but I know that would be wrong) I just dont like the sense of feeling that they are pushing me out - there is nothing wrong with my work as far as I know.

It is an oppressive place to work and it is managed in an old fashioned way.

Shiny - I will certainly ring these on Monday I want the security of knowing if they do x y z what my rights are.

I have only just made friends it is close to home at DS nursery - I enjoy what I am teaching at the moment

I don't understand why they think they can change your contract if it's permanent? They can't push you out of your 0.4 position just because they've changed their minds - but did they make the change permanent in September or was it made subject to departmental needs? If it was the latter then I suspect they can vary it. If they don't have enough hours for the teachers they have taken on then they are incompetent and will need to go through some sort of redundancy process - that would involve fair selection - not just picking you beacuse you're part time!

Thanks northern - I am checking all sorts of other websites to try and find out - the head has acted outside correct procdures when dealing with other staff and although I am dealing with all 'my stuff' adn getting through this bout of depression I wnat to do the riht thing and not let them bully me into leaving.

Dare I say that we were TTC when this bout of depression cam along if i am preggas this month I will have to wait and see!

The problem also is I am teaching topics from my subject specialism to other currciulum areas but as I said in my OP these subject areas have appointed specilists in those subject areas that can do what I do in that areas and more.

I think its timetabling preferencese also at work.

Thanks teen spirit I have been to docs about depression and was pulling myself round doing the self help stuff and also have access to counselling. The liver function test is prob down to my weight and while I like a drink (but have recently barely managed a glass of wine) nothing too heavy.

At the start of this week I was getting over depression and thinking we might get lucky this month - and now look a it - I cud go on about the house work too!!!! Least DH is taking DS to soccatots soon.

It actually sounds like the opening of a negotiation to me, because at the moment from the info you have given, they are obliged to redeploy you anyway. If you have QTS, this can mean teaching any subject to any age group at all.

How about putting together a list of absolutely everything you could do for them, including covering any subjects you at least have A Level in, etc, and looking keen?

You may be able to turn this to your advantage.

Yeah you may be right Boffin the union rep (who is new to role so didnt know realy) said it might be them testing the water to see make a point that I might have to teach well outside my subject area - which I already do.

They also saif that things will 'pan out during the school year' as various people are due to go on maternity leave etc but the meeting has left me feeling insecure about my job as if I am going to have to fight for my rights.

That's because they're slightly crap employers, but just ignore that fact and get on with turning it to your advantage!

Thanks boffin DH and DS are due back soon - I feel perky now and have decided not to allow this issue to intrude any further (mornings are worst for me with my depression) I have whirled round the house - including opening curtains (eek ) and stuck washer on done dishes and planning to go to TK Maks to get cheap big pot to cook a cury in for tonight - DH has said he wants to plan meals for christmas so have got out mags and books ready!

Thanks again excuse sp

Sorry you're having a rough time bbe.

Why would they be asking you 'what your intentions are?' That sounds strange.

Why did you go part time in September? Was it a permanent change? Was it a request from you based on your health problems?

They don't have the right to change your terms and conditions without your agreement, but just from the way you phrased your OP it comes across as though this might have been a temporary thing requested by you, in which case asking you your intentions isn't necessarily so bad.

But if they can't even offer you the hours you are already working for whatever reason, that's not something they need to ask you about your intentions for, that's something they need to address themselves.

Thanks flowery

I went part time because my DH's new job quite demanding and I wnated to be able to look after DS without feeling pulled all over the place.

Exactly re 'intentions' have they asked all the full timer staff? Why is it my hours that may have to be cut?

I have had anice weekend afterall and I have decided to ring ACAS on Mon and just stick to the rules and do the right thing if they dont like this then thats there problem - I really dont know what their game is.

Flowery and baubleeyes, to me this sounds like head teacher code for "We have a timetabling and resourcing issue, but we still want to give all our favourite f/t people plenty of work and money. You're mummy tracking anyway, which we know because you have gone part time, so we are hoping you will want to bugger off voluntarily, which will save us the effort of really thinking about staffing and resourcing issues properly, and allow us to get back to the real business in hand, which is making a fuss about school sweatshirts and bake sales, and scoffing chocolate biscuits in our offices".

Sorry, did that sound cynical there??? Schools are absolutely terrible at HR in my (weary) experience.

Thanks - you prob right Boffin - this make me feel unwanted and I found it tough to take - I was ust pulling myself round from a bout of depression and it set me back.

I have now spoke to the headteacher and they explained the procedure of what and when it will happen I wont know til feb/mar - hopefully I will be pregnant by then anyway I am not putting off TTC again (as we have over last 18 months for a variety of reasons)

They said they request voluntary firts then use crieria which is based on curriculum needs and ability to teach not LIFO as if the latter was the case it would not be me. I am part time - neish to the school overall and more expensive than NQTS they have appointed.

However my take is now this:

a) I retain job the same (fair enough current contract maternity rights used up - hopefully)

b) I get a small lump sum that i would use to do a course (have my eye on one to get out of teaching anyway) and do supply around maternity - but I would have to change my sons childcare not sure about this though.

c) I am pregnant and they offer redudancy anyway I would have to negotiate a redundancy package that would mean I wouldnt lose my materity rights.

Beleive me I am not that enamoured (sp?) to this school compared to previous ones I have worked in but I do not want to feel bullied out of a job unfairly. They have managed other situation in dodgy fashion and I am very wary of the Management team.

You mention health problems _ does that mean you have taken alot of sick leave?

Hi unavailable - I have not taken any more than the normal amount last year when I full time but in my prior post I was off 4 months but the school were supportive and paid towards some of my treatment and gave me a phased return.

why do you ask?

Sorry for delay in replying.
I asked as I thought they may be trying to edge you out because they saw you as unreliable (I dont mean they would be right to do so, just that it may be their rationale.)

Whatever, you need some proper legal advice . If your school union rep cant help, get in touch with reional or head office, where they have full time staff.

thanks unavailable - ive been dipping in and out of MN all day

I'm a lot calmer about it now - its not a nice organisation to work in but I have made some real nice friends.

I will be taking proper legal advice and ensuring I get my rights whicever way it turns out alsong as its fair - This way I am in a win win situation.