off sick but expected to work from home (im a teacher)

purply

hi,
Looking for advice please.
I'm a teacher and not been back to work after xmas hols (last week) as I had a miscarriage on the day i was due back to work.

i posted a sick note for last week and need to send one in for this week.
I hope to go back to work next week.

My problem is that i am expected to do loads of work whilst off (due to deadlines).
I am not with a union as I don't have QTS (although i am qualified in teaching 14-19 yr olds-thats another story!)

just wanted to know what my rights were...
thanks

Shazmar_2

If you are off sick then you should be excused from all work. Contact your school and inform them you are unable to do any of this work due to illness and if they need to hit deadlines then they will need to delegate someone else to do it. You do not need any qualifications to join a union. If a union has refused you membership join another. You do not need to be in a specific union such as the Teachers union. Most unions have a general section where you will get the same representation. Definitely join one.

Terrylw1

If you are off and signed off you are not expected to be working. Otherwise, unless your illness physically prevented you from being in you would be expected to be at work.

Have they stated you need to do this? Or are you working of your own accord as you are worried about your deadlines?

I've constantly done the latter and struggled through but still got no thanks for it.


Also, sorry for your loss. I'm sure they wouldn't expect you to go out of your way knowing how you must be feeling right now.

Oldernotwiser

It's quite usual for teachers to have to set work for their classes when they're off sick. The idea is that you've done your preparation well in advance and you pass your plans on to supply teachers. (This was what happened when my husband was doing supply work.) Is this the sort of work you mean? I'm sure that all the teaching unions have a student membership so I would rethink joining one of them. Are you on the GTP?

purply

thank you for all your relies. you've all confirmed what i already thought-thought i was mad for thinking it!
Terrylw1-i suppose i am working off my own accord although the office has rang me every day this week giving me jobs to do-reports etc
i feel an enormous sense of responsibility for my students so im doing the work.

we dont have supply teachers so its who which ever teacher is free-off course thats gonna cause friction with teachers so most of them have not bothered to do my lessons properly.
we are so stretched for staff-there would be nobody else to do my work-im also the only teacher for my subject (!)

oldernotwiser-im not on the gtp as i am a qualified teacher but seen as unqualified in a secondary school (have degree, Msc and pgce (post 16) and seen as unqualified-what a joke!).
however im looking to convert my qual so its recognised.

shazmar-thanks for your advice re unions. wish i had the guts to tell my school what i think!

im back next week so will see what happens.
thank you all for your replies.
purply

Ewarwoowar2

If you have a miscarriage, you will not be entitled to maternity leave or pay. You should take sick leave for as long as your GP signs you off sick.
Sick leave for a miscarriage may be protected in the same way as sick leave for a pregnancy related illness, if so you are not limited in how much you can take and it must be recorded as such and does not count towards your sickness record.. Even if it is not protected in the same way, employers have to treat you fairly and case law suggests that it is unlawful to dismiss someone for an absence directly caused by miscarriage.

Your sick pay (including Statutory Sick Pay) will be paid in the same way as any other employee, and you may be only paid it for a certain amount of time.
For sick pay you are entitled to what your employer offers any employee who is on sick leave.

Your employer may offer you contractual sick pay, or just Statutory Sick Pay. If you do not earn enough to claim Statutory Sick Pay (you must earn at least £87 per week (this rate applies from 6 April 2007)), or your Statutory Sick Pay runs out, then you may be entitled to Incapacity Benefit or Income Support.

Could you ask your GP to write a note explaining that you're not in a fit state to work from home?

Nile

I thought that a sick note from a GP states 'Is unfit for work'.;)

It doesn't say 'Is unfit for work in the employers premises but fit for work at home'.;)

Take care of yourself and don't work when you're not fit for work.

Regards

Nile

LuciferTDark

If you start working from home they might try to use that as an excuse to force you to go back before you're ready for it as "you're fit enough to work".

purply

thanks all.

i got the all clear yesterday from the hospital so i guess i am ready to go back. ive had xmas hols and the last 2 wks off (1 month in total) so i shouldnt be too greedy! im getting fat sat at home too!

i suppose it's the fact that the school didnt think twice about burdening me with all this work and i prob wont get any thanks for having done it-even though ive made their life infinitely easier.
Ewarwoowar2-thats very interesting esp about the fact that it doesn't count towards my record. thanks for that.

once again thanks everyone

purply

candygirl

Do you not have a line manager, ie head of faculty or head of department who can set the work?I am a teacher too(supply now though!!), and in circumstances like this, even the most dire schools wouldn't expect teachers to set work:rolleyes: .
If you are going on a course or have a minor illness then maybe you would fax or email work in, but not in a situation like this.
I am currently covering for someone off sick for 3 weeks, and the head of department sets the work.Can you not join a union?
l

purply

candygirl-head of faculty left at xmas!


hmmmm....