Work have pulled a fast one here.....

[PriorityOne]

Re: Work have pulled a fast one here.....

Ok... an update..... and I am fuming!!

The union phoned and said there was an email detailing an offer, which on the face of it might have been acceptable. When I turned on the laptop however, I opened a "work" email (presumably sent in error) and seen an internal post advertised where for a "Development Leader with TLR 2a or equivalent" (extra pay attached) and I am furious. I have been doing this role with no extra pay with these and other courses for some time with NO extra pay and my boss is well aware of this.

When I raised this with him by email back in February as part of the work overload that contributed to it being a "burnout job" and being signed off with work-based stress the first time (the union has a copy of that email), I was fobbed off and the situation continued with additional courses being given to me, sometimes with little notice, no scheme of work in place and so on - meaning that I and another colleague had to stumble our way through it all with the calibre of students I've mentioned already in front of us. He knew I that I had the assessor qualification and has used me on the cheap to suit his own agenda for the past 2 years..

Since I have been off this time and unlikely to return, he has now realised that there is no-one to co-ordinate these kind of courses and is advertising a proper paid role in recognition of these additional responsibilities. I know this is a knee-jerk reaction to what I've just read and I need to calm down but I am seriously thinking of raising a grievance against this man and copying it to the Director.

The amount offered is equivalent to less than 4 months gross salary and considerably less than what I could receive by raising a grievance and continuing with sick pay; even paid at half its current value. After reading the email I have just seen this morning, I'm inclined to reject his offer and go back to my GP instead.

I will come up with an alternative figure at some point but I am too angry to do this at the moment..... but have emailed the union lady with the above and told her not to ring me back today and I will email again when I have calmed down....

[CleverClogs (RIP)]

Re: Work have pulled a fast one here.....

I take it that the union is UWT rather than NUT?

[PriorityOne]

Re: Work have pulled a fast one here.....

In my experience unions are great for the masses but if you need individual support they become very reluctant to push things. I have seen a couple of people really let down by the unions they have paid into for many years - one in particular had a gross misconduct dismissal thrown out at appeal and the union rep suggested she walk away with her head held high...... no assistance for loss of earnings etc, this was a young mum falsely accused of something whose life had been devastated. I was really cross as they offered her no emotional support at all through the process and then when we put a case together for her appeal just patted her on her back and suggested she went on her way! Needless to say we didn't leave it there but she had to fight her own corner even though she had paid her "dues" for several years to the union.

I am assuming you are still on full pay whilst on sick; if so, make the most of it - more time for them to pay for their incompetence and another example of unreasonable behaviour! Each month you are on sick pay (as long as its full pay) buys you more time to find a job IYKWIM.

Head up lovely - you have won the battle now lets look forward to the war

Jane x

Thanks Jane..... The only thing the union has been good for so far is negotiating on my behalf but even that is still an assumption at the moment because I don't know what they're offering yet. I sent loads of email evidence across to the union person last week, including an independent report stating that I had an acute stress disorder as a result of working conditions but the union person has hardly given any reference to that at all. I have now gone past the 3 month period for raising a grievance and going ahead with legal action.... and although I didn't want to go down this route because it's a potentially a long-winded one.... I did think that she could have used my evidence as leverage to get a good settlement out of them, or even to push for a transfer/secondment into the main school.

It does feel at times as though I've been tossed onto the scrap heap by the union as well..... If the settlement is cr*p, then I'm going to be the loser and this is not sitting well with me at the moment and if I don't accept the settlement, then I'll be back in that workplace eventually, although the boss will have to make some changes to facilitate that. When I last spoke to the union person, I was told that the normal offer is 2-3 months gross salary.... but I am under contract until April, so that's rubbish and I politely said that.

I can't make any decisions until I know what that settlement is going to be.... and so it drags on.

[tastyjane]

Re: Work have pulled a fast one here.....

In my experience unions are great for the masses but if you need individual support they become very reluctant to push things. I have seen a couple of people really let down by the unions they have paid into for many years - one in particular had a gross misconduct dismissal thrown out at appeal and the union rep suggested she walk away with her head held high...... no assistance for loss of earnings etc, this was a young mum falsely accused of something whose life had been devastated. I was really cross as they offered her no emotional support at all through the process and then when we put a case together for her appeal just patted her on her back and suggested she went on her way! Needless to say we didn't leave it there but she had to fight her own corner even though she had paid her "dues" for several years to the union.

I am assuming you are still on full pay whilst on sick; if so, make the most of it - more time for them to pay for their incompetence and another example of unreasonable behaviour! Each month you are on sick pay (as long as its full pay) buys you more time to find a job IYKWIM.

Head up lovely - you have won the battle now lets look forward to the war

Jane x

[PriorityOne]

Re: Work have pulled a fast one here.....

Perhaps they still believe there really is a Sanity Clause?

They're gonna need one to stay out of special measures once this year's GCSE's are out......

[CleverClogs (RIP)]

Re: Work have pulled a fast one here.....

So was I.... There's still time for developments next week but Xmas is slowing things down for one reason or another.

Perhaps they still believe there really is a Sanity Clause?

[PriorityOne]

Re: Work have pulled a fast one here.....

I think it depends on the rep and the links that they have with the school as to how good they are.

She does seem to know her stuff but isn't prepared to call their bluff like I would.

Oh well.... if she gets me a decent payout, I'll be happy.....

[cymruambyth]

Re: Work have pulled a fast one here.....

I think it depends on the rep and the links that they have with the school as to how good they are.

[PriorityOne]

Re: Work have pulled a fast one here.....

Thanks folks....

I'm getting the impression that schools can get away with murder in terms of how they treat staff though...... The union person made it clear some time ago that she wouldn't support me with any legal claim I might be thinking about. Fortunately (for me), I didn't want to string thing out like that anyway due to needing an income but if I had..... I'm not sure I would have had faith in them to pursue it, to be honest. It's made me wonder lately just how neutral these people are..... I've had much better advice on here which has kept me on the ball when speaking to them.

[IF]

Re: Work have pulled a fast one here.....

Oh dear.... they're definitely stringing it out.

Another visit to my GP before Xmas it is then....

I'm sorry to P1, sending you big hugs

[cymruambyth]

Re: Work have pulled a fast one here.....

More evidence of unreasonable behaviour ......

[PriorityOne]

Re: Work have pulled a fast one here.....

oh no, was hoping you would get this over with before Christmas xx

So was I.... There's still time for developments next week but Xmas is slowing things down for one reason or another.

[nightwatch]

Re: Work have pulled a fast one here.....

oh no, was hoping you would get this over with before Christmas xx

[PriorityOne]

Re: Work have pulled a fast one here.....

Oh dear.... they're definitely stringing it out.

Another visit to my GP before Xmas it is then....

[PriorityOne]

Re: Work have pulled a fast one here.....

Morning, just wondered if you had heard back from them? Although from following his behaviour I doubt he will act quickly

Jane x

Hi Jane.... not yet, no. I'm expecting to hear tomorrow. The union person said that they normally offer between 2-3 months gross salary but she has requested more..... and because of that, it's had to go to my boss's boss.

Hard to say which way it will swing at the moment but 2-3 months is not enough; I'm contracted until April as it is.....