How would you play this?

Potbellypig

You're a Teaching Assistant at a pretty big school, looking after Reception children. You have a year 6 child in a different school which on the last day of term they make a big song and dance about, and they go off in party buses, that kind of stuff. You want to leave at 2.15pm (finish is 3.30pm) on that one day but the Headteacher categorically refuses, saying that it's not a big deal. But you think it is. You think it's a massive deal seeing your child come out of her primary school on her last day there. Something you'll not get to see again.

You've tried to explain your reasons to the Headteacher but he's not budging on it. It isn't a staffing issue too as there are 2 spare in the year.

Is that it? Do you accept it? I'm guessing the repercussions are if you leave at 2.15pm then worst case is gross misconduct and dismissal?

Tough one.

[Deleted User]

I wouldn't jeopardise a job to attend it. I don't regard it as a particularly big deal in terms of a child's development - my kids left primary school, had a summer holiday and went onto the next school. It wasn't considered a big thing. There are other events I would be far more keen to attend - first day of school, or graduation, for example.

But it's a personal thing - if this means that much to you, then you'll do what you need to do.

agrinnall

Is it also last day of term at your school? If so then I can see why your head would want to ensure that the children in his care are his first priority on a day when things will happen differently to a normal day. If your priority is different then perhaps working there isn't in your best interests.

Exodi

I don't think this is a tough one. Your employer has refused and you've continued to quiz him on it. Staffing levels are irrelevant as this decision is solely at your employers discretion. I would almost certainly accept it and whilst I don't think you'd be dismissed for leaving at 2.15pm anyway, I think you'd cause irreparable damage to your employer relationship.

I personally don't think it's that big a deal to see your child come out of primary school on their last day, I think you've probably wound yourself up about it. By extension, would you want time off to see them off on their first day at secondary? First trip away? First vaccination?

Ultimately, I've never been a fan of posters lack of respect for their employers. These are the same people that will make a thread a few months down the line in total confusion of why they were dismissed.

SingleSue

I'm another who wouldn't put my job at risk especially one that is term based as they can be like gold dust in some areas. Yes, I would be gutted to miss it but there are other far more important days in the future.

Comms69

Potbellypig wrote: »

You're a Teaching Assistant at a pretty big school, looking after Reception children. You have a year 6 child in a different school which on the last day of term they make a big song and dance about, and they go off in party buses, that kind of stuff. You want to leave at 2.15pm (finish is 3.30pm) on that one day but the Headteacher categorically refuses, saying that it's not a big deal. But you think it is. You think it's a massive deal seeing your child come out of her primary school on her last day there. Something you'll not get to see again.

You've tried to explain your reasons to the Headteacher but he's not budging on it. It isn't a staffing issue too as there are 2 spare in the year.

Is that it? Do you accept it? I'm guessing the repercussions are if you leave at 2.15pm then worst case is gross misconduct and dismissal?

Tough one.

Gross misconduct, instant dismissal.


You aren't entitled to that time off. I sympathise, but this is your chosen career and you cant pick and choose when to turn up at work.

KatrinaWaves

is this your partner who only started at this job at the beginning of the school year? She is highly likely to lose her job over this. She has zero protection.

Potbellypig

Always good to gauge some other opinions in these things, thanks. As the last post states, it's not me, it's my partner, but I have an emotional interest in it and you don't always make the right decisions when you do.

TBagpuss

The employer has no obligation to allow the time off, so if theemploye has asked, and has been refused, that's it.

It's not an emergency which would justify taking unpaid family leave, and if they leave without permission then ys, that is likely to be a dsiciplinary offence andquote possible gross misconduct, particualrly as it is in circumstnaces where they have already asked, and ben told 'no''

Also, seeing a child come out of school isn't really that big of a deal.

I'm not clear whethr tios person was asking to book time off or ifthey were asking to be allowd to leave and hour early. Ifthey were asking to book time off (possibly unpaid if they don't have any holiday time) they *could* clarify that, but itwould still mean more admin for the schol and while it might not leave them below required staffing levels would presumably leave them understaffed,so it's legitimate for the head to say no.

DCFC79

Could you not attend or another family, even take photos if you want to remember it.

w06

Look at it from the head's point of view. Many of their staff will have school age children, all of whom will have events that their parents may like to attend during school time. Where do the school draw the line between something that warrants time off and something that doesn't?