Teaching agency: problems before starting on Monday

Tirion24

Husband recently registered with a supply teaching agency. Problem 1: Told to do trial day in a school a few weeks ago. Taught a full days of prepared classes. Looking increasingly likely that he won't be paid for this day. Is this allowable? Minimum wage legislation - at least? Problem 2: School said they wanted him but he'd have to observe a week's lessons (next week), spend a week pair teaching and then take on the full gamut of responsibilities until July. Agency very, very hard to get hold off. In spite of assurances, have not told him what the daily rate will be. Today, they still couldn't tell him (saying still trying to speak to school) but said that he wouldn't be paid for the days he's observing classes. Again, is this acceptable? What would his status be - volunteer/unpaid teacher? Problem 3: He starts Monday - no contract - no likelihood of pay for at a week at least (would he be paid for the pair teaching week?), no info about how much he'll get - could be anything. Agency very slow to reply to emails and messages.

This is obviously very worrying. I work - modest income - we have dependent children and had been, literally, banking on this.

Go into the school that's expecting him? But the school has perhaps said that he won't be paid next week. Unless the agency has invented this - after all, they are still claiming that they haven't been able to speak to the school about a daily rate. Talk to the school before the days starts? Ditch the agency now and look again? Any advice welcome.

Savvy_Sue

Tricky, because at the end of the week it sounds as if there's a contract until July, which is not to be sniffed at.

I think I'd try to contact the school before the day starts, BUT at the same time be prepared to be there as expected, if that's possible. Also it's entirely possible that whoever deals with the agency won't be in that early.

Once in the school, I'd do my best to find out who does deal with the agency and check out the agency's story. If the agency billed the school for that trial day, then your husband should be paid! And so on.

Bogalot

Is your husband a qualified teacher? If so he needs to find another agency.

bellaboo86

Having done supply work I find this odd. As Bogalot has said, he needs to find another agency.

Jimmithecat

This doesn't sound right to me - the agency make a lot of money out of placing teachers and this should have all been sorted out before he started. Your husbands contract is with the agency so they are the ones I would be chasing - I wouldn't go to a job without it being clear what the daily rate and the frequency and method of payment was. I also wouldn't do a trial day and work shadowing and not expect to get paid on a supply contract.....

marliepanda

I have worked supply and done both paid and unpaid trial days (one school in particular would lie about jobs to get people in on free 'trials' to save paying. I refused to work there after my first 'trial' as no one even saw me with the children, they would have no idea how good or bad I was (reception to so not something they could talk over with the children)

However it was always very clear from the agency if I was getting paid or not. Some where better than others. There's hundreds out there, find a decent one.

dawyldthing

I bet it will be like my final placement 'team teach' the miraculously a course needed attending/ class needs covering/ xyz needs doing then you'd be teaching the class on your own.

Id change agencies - the schools chancing getting free labour on the premise it will last until July when in reality you have to take a lot of agencies with a pinch of salt as they tell you what you want to hear