School closed. You have to make the time up in holidays!

donnajunkie

Jomo wrote: »

Why aren't they being forced to take it as a holiday like others then?

I'm quite aware of the long hours and 'homework' teachers do actually do so I'm not bashing anyone, just being devils advocate.

companies may do that but i think it is an unfair practice. if it is a normal working day and you are quite willing to go to work but the boss says you should not go in. it is unfair if they then say that they are taking a days holiday off you.

donnajunkie

theres one thing i am curious about. if teachers work so much harder now than what they did 20 years ago, why do kids these days seem to be so stupid.

Prudent

I teach in Scotland. If we are unable to commute to school due to snow we have to walk to our local school and be available to replace a teacher that may not be able to commute by car. It seems a sensible policy to me. If the local school closed then we have to do curriculum development work at home. It is not a 'day off'.

mikey72

donnajunkie wrote: »

theres one thing i am curious about. if teachers work so much harder now than what they did 20 years ago, why do kids these days seem to be so stupid.

Genetics. . .

Belysh

Although this thread is making me feel like some people don't really appreciate the job teachers do, it is refreshing to know that when there is snow you can't live without us!

Pennylane

Belysh wrote: »

Although this thread is making me feel like some people don't really appreciate the job teachers do, it is refreshing to know that when there is snow you can't live without us!

I don't mean to be rude but comments like that (albeit tongue-in-cheek) do nothing to make people respect teachers.

Of course people can live without you. It was an inconvenience to many parents naturally, especially those who had to stay home and did not get paid but hey, we've all survived.;)

Whatever job we all do we hope that we are appreciated and teachers are no different. My bin men were superb and got through to do their work, the postman, delivery drivers and oil delivery got through - our doctor, dentist and vets were open as usual too - for which I'm truly grateful and appreciative.

ariarnia

DVardysShadow wrote: »

I think the essential point here is whether were people locked out.

If they were told not to attend, but were available, it is the employer's loss. If they could not make it in but the workplace was open, then it is the employees' loss

i think this is the key point.

If an employee presents themselves ready and able to work, but there is no work for them to complete (kitchen staff and no customers) or is told that the school is to be closed and it's not safe for them to come in (ebbw vale school on 3 seporate days this week the teachers have been told specifically not to come in) then it's the employers decision to call the day or not and the employers responsibility to pay either way.

However, if the employee decides not to come in, for whatever reason, the employer is not bound to pay for non-attendance.

Belysh

Pennylane wrote: »

I don't mean to be rude but comments like that (albeit tongue-in-cheek) do nothing to make people respect teachers.

Of course people can live without you. It was an inconvenience to many parents naturally, especially those who had to stay home and did not get paid but hey, we've all survived.;)

Whatever job we all do we hope that we are appreciated and teachers are no different. My bin men were superb and got through to do their work, the postman, delivery drivers and oil delivery got through - our doctor, dentist and vets were open as usual too - for which I'm truly grateful and appreciative.

Teachers will never get respected by some people no matter what they do so I don't think that comment will make much of a difference. Plus, I haven't had the pleasure of staying at home and being paid but some comments made by people on here make it sound like it is our fault that every where is shut because they have had no one to look after their children.

I know I sound like I'm moaning but i'm not. I understand that everyone is in the same boat when it comes to snow. What the heck, let's just blame the weatherman!

LucyTheDwarf

the182guy wrote: »

So why is [seemingly] no other school in the country adopting this 'entirely fair' policy?

Isn't it the gov that should decide this, not a middle manager at the school?

My mum is a teacher. I thought this was standard for all schools. They have to have a certain number of teaching days in the school year, and if they have to close they have to make up these days, either by taking them from holidays or "baker days".

It's about the kids, not the staff, because the staff are supposed to walk to the nearest school and offer their services on snow days, to allow as many schools as possible to open.

Pennylane

Belysh wrote: »

Teachers will never get respected by some people no matter what they do so I don't think that comment will make much of a difference. Plus, I haven't had the pleasure of staying at home and being paid but some comments made by people on here make it sound like it is our fault that every where is shut because they have had no one to look after their children.

I know I sound like I'm moaning but i'm not. I understand that everyone is in the same boat when it comes to snow. What the heck, let's just blame the weatherman!

There you go again! :rolleyes:
If people are working in shops, hotels, hospitals, garages etc etc and they are required to work whatever the weather and they have young children, then they are not allowed to leave them unattended. So yes, the care of their children is a headache. Some will have relatives who can step in and help but many will have nobody they can call on.

You surely can't accuse all the parents of High School kids of missing their babysitters.