Work in School - should I work my contract?

toshkininny

I work in an after school care in a primary school and am contracted until 6pm.  There are two of us normally as pre covid there were more kids than there are now.  The other person resigned as redundancy was looming , but we were saved.  However I am now in this term running ASC by myself with less kids, and they haven't been staying until 6pm, being picked up about 5.30pm.  I cannot leave unless I have permission from a senior leader.  I asked, and was more or less told to sit in the Reception area with my laptop, as I can always do paperwork, etc.  I had no paperwork to do so she wanted me to wait around for 40 minutes until my contracted time with nothing to do.  Pre covid no problem, I usually finish at 6pm,  but if Boris says stay at home, why can't I go home?  I'm stressed enough as it is mingling with keyworker kids and worrying about taking covid home with me.  Am I wrong to be cross at this time, I feel it is give and take.  I am looking after kids without chance for a break or convenience break, to feed.  Also I feel it is a safeguarding issue.   Thanks.

Savvy_Sue

The safeguarding issue is that you are working alone, IMO. What happens if either you or one of them has an accident? 

oh_really

toshkininny said:

 I am looking after kids without chance for a break or convenience break, to feed. 

Are you entitled to a break?

toshkininny

oh_really said:

toshkininny said:

 I am looking after kids without chance for a break or convenience break, to feed. 

Are you entitled to a break?

I shouldn’t think so , never asked , but with two we can pop out if need be without leaving kids by themselves

68ComebackSpecial

What's stressful about being paid for 40 minutes per day whilst twiddling your thumbs by yourself? 

General_Grant

oh_really said:

toshkininny said:

 I am looking after kids without chance for a break or convenience break, to feed. 

Are you entitled to a break?

I wouldn't expect one.
As it is after school club with an official finish time of 6 pm, the statutory right to a break would only kick in if the club opened before 1.30 pm (and that's if the  staff member is under the age of 18 - would have to begin before noon if 18 or older).

wilfred30

If you were allowed to go home 40 minutes early, would you be happy to not be paid for that time?

gwynlas

I would be far more concerned regarding lone working and the H and S implications both for yourself and the children  if there are no other adults on the premises.
You cannot slope off early and still expect to be paid

bartelbe

Welcome to idiot Britain, in which people think presentism is a good idea. So rather than get the job done, people spend their time pointlessly hanging around with nothing to do. Unproductive, with the added bonus that the same culture makes people turn up when they are sick and spread nasties around.

The boss is being a typical British managerial idiot, as you say you can't magic up kids. You are available for you contracted hours and it isn't your fault that you are not needed. My advice is to bring a good book, read it during the pointless hours you're at work and ponder how incompetent British managers ever get their jobs.

KatrinaWaves

bartelbe said:

Welcome to idiot Britain, in which people think presentism is a good idea. So rather than get the job done, people spend their time pointlessly hanging around with nothing to do. Unproductive, with the added bonus that the same culture makes people turn up when they are sick and spread nasties around.

The boss is being a typical British managerial idiot, as you say you can't magic up kids. You are available for you contracted hours and it isn't your fault that you are not needed. My advice is to bring a good book, read it during the pointless hours you're at work and ponder how incompetent British managers ever get their jobs.

Whose wee’d in your cornflakes this morning...

she is paid to be there til 6. She may not have children to care for but there are other things she can be doing. Plus she should be available in case children have left things behind, or a parent has a concern, until the designated time. If they remember after 6, tough, but the place is advertised til 6 and therefore someone should be there until 6 regardless of children. 

bartelbe

KatrinaWaves said:

bartelbe said:

Welcome to idiot Britain, in which people think presentism is a good idea. So rather than get the job done, people spend their time pointlessly hanging around with nothing to do. Unproductive, with the added bonus that the same culture makes people turn up when they are sick and spread nasties around.

The boss is being a typical British managerial idiot, as you say you can't magic up kids. You are available for you contracted hours and it isn't your fault that you are not needed. My advice is to bring a good book, read it during the pointless hours you're at work and ponder how incompetent British managers ever get their jobs.

Whose wee’d in your cornflakes this morning...

she is paid to be there til 6. She may not have children to care for but there are other things she can be doing. Plus she should be available in case children have left things behind, or a parent has a concern, until the designated time. If they remember after 6, tough, but the place is advertised til 6 and therefore someone should be there until 6 regardless of children. 

It is this computer says no attitude which is why the British economy fails. Acceptable when it comes from junior staff but a joke when it comes from managers who are supposedly paid for their brains and ability.

Sure you can be stubborn, like the typical useless British manager or you can use what is between your ears. Are the kids likely to come back after they have been picked up? So why are you bothering to keep a member of staff there, when they are not needed? She is paid till 6 and is happy to be there till 6 if a parent wants to keep their kid there that long.

When companies abandon dumb British management culture and tell employees that they can go when they have completed their work. Productivity goes up and companies perform better. Shocking I know.