Hatrack River Forum: Looking for the Wisdom of Hatrack

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Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :

I'm dealing with a situation, and I'm kind of at a loss. So I was hoping all of y'all might have some ideas.

I was away in NYC from last Thursday night through tonight, missing work Friday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. I don't teach Fridays, so I had arranged for a substitute for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

I requested those specific dates (both verbally over the phone and in an email) several weeks ago, and then confirmed verbally on Thursday. I also left (in writing) the dates I would be out posted on the board by my desk, as well as giving copies to the other person in the office and all three principals.

I left a manila envelope for the substitute (let's call her Wanda) with the dates written on the outside. Inside was (along with the work to be covered with each class) a copy of my schedule, with the room numbers for each class written in by hand. While I was at it, I did this for all my classes (including the Thursday ones) and made several copies for future reference.

I guess I should have crossed out the Thursday classes, or circled the others -- it did not occur to me. *sigh*

On Tuesday, Wanda looked at the schedule and thought it meant I expected her to teach Thursday as well. She attempted to confirm this with the other person in the office, who gave her attitude (there's a shock [Roll Eyes]

) and checked with the English principal who said she didn't expect me back until Friday. Accordingly, Wanda cancelled with the place she was supposed to be teaching Thursday (and they arranged someone to cover her class(es)).

It was apparently not until late this afternoon (while I was on my return flight) that anyone realized I might be returning tomorrow. (This is the part I am amazed and annoyed at. WHY did I bother to carefully leave the dates with everyone IN WRITING if they're going to be ignored?! [Wall Bash]

) I returned the call as soon as I got the message (just after my plane landed at 7:30), and played a little telephone tag with Wanda. I just spoke with her.

The problem now is as follows: Wanda cannot really afford to be teaching at neither place tomorrow. She will try in the morning to see what can be done about cancelling her sub (it was too late this afternoon to try when the problem was realized) and call me. I did not leave work for my Thursday classes -- nor do I wish to do so; I have things that I want to cover with them. Nor do I wish to give up another one of my vacation days. I carefully arranged this to miss as few days as possible.

I am tempted to suggest that the English principal (who insisted that I was not going to be back before Friday) pay Wanda anyway, but that it not come from my vacation days. Not sure how that would go over though . . . especially with the school's finances being what they are.

I just want to scream. [Mad]

Posted by T_Smith (Member # 3734) on :

Bogus. Haneous. Most nontriumphant. [Frown]

::shrug::

Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :

Well, it's not your fault. This is well-documented. And I would explain to the English principal that she can't afford not to work that day. If they don't want to pay double for the job, can it come out of the principal's vacation days?

Posted by Treason (Member # 7587) on :

I have no wisdom for you but I'll help you wallbash- [Wall Bash]

People

are

stoopid!
Sorry riv!

Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :

quote:
If they don't want to pay double for the job, can it come out of the principal's vacation days?

*snicker* Not sure if this was meant as a serious suggestion, but while I love the notion, there is no way I can suggest it.

Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :

Oh, I knew you couldn't suggest it.

Does she have a boss? [Evil Laugh]

Posted by andi330 (Member # 8572) on :

You obviously must have a different system than the school system I used to sub for. There, unless you requested a specific sub, teachers entered their information to an automated system, which then called substitutes until someone accepted the position. Is there no way for her to get a different sub job tomorrow?

Posted by andi330 (Member # 8572) on :

If I hadn't been so broke, I think I would have unplugged the phone some nights. Unless you accepted a sub job the night before the stupid thing started calling at about 5 am. Of course to get across county sometimes took that long to get to the school. That phone was a very rude awakening.

Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :

quote:
Originally posted by ketchupqueen:
Oh, I knew you couldn't suggest it.

Does she have a boss?

Sort of. But going that route would REALLY not be a good move.

quote:
Originally posted by andi330:
You obviously must have a different system than the school system I used to sub for. There, unless you requested a specific sub, teachers entered their information to an automated system, which then called substitutes until someone accepted the position. Is there no way for her to get a different sub job tomorrow?

All the schools involved are private schools.

Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :

Teasing, dear. Just teasing. (((hugs)))

Maybe she'll come to it on her own.

Maybe not. Oh, well.

Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :

Tempting, though. [Wink]

I'm too tired to detect teasing. Try again tomorrow.

Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :

Awww. We need to get together some time and gripe about the injustices of life. (Don't get me started on what we've been going through.)

Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :

*pat pat* We so do!

Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :

Hmmm. I hate to invite myself over, but I can't invite you over to eat dinner at my house...

Posted by Telperion the Silver (Member # 6074) on :

*licks rivka with his magical happy-tongue*
The happy-tongue makes you happy!

Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :

quote:
Originally posted by ketchupqueen:
Hmmm. I hate to invite myself over, but I can't invite you over to eat dinner at my house...

*grin* Not a problem. Let me figure out which night next week I am child-free, and we'll talk.

*gives Telp an odd look*

Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :

quote:
*grin* Not a problem. Let me figure out which night next week I am child-free, and we'll talk.

Wonderful! [Big Grin]

Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :

To me this is simple - you did nothing wrong and whether or not Wanda gets paid is not your problem or responsibility. She should have verified before cancelling with her other job, and if she so desperately needs income that one day is going to ruin her, she should perhaps look for a more steady line of work than substitute teaching.

Whether or not your principal pays her is between her and the principal, not you.

Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :

Yep, I'm with Belle on this.

Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :

quote:
and if she so desperately needs income that one day is going to ruin her, she should perhaps look for a more steady line of work than substitute teaching.

I think this is a little harsh. While it might be true that she should look for a more steady line of work tahn substitute teaching, unless she can do it retroactively, this advice does nothing to solve her current problem.

We haven't been told her circumstances, why she is subbing, what the money is for, or anything.

rivka, it's not your responsibility, but I applaud you for caring about it. And, frankly, it sounds like Wanda did the right thing. If she was confused, there were people in the Administration she should have asked. She did. And they screwed up.

Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :

And "Attitude Dude" in the office should be spoken to. I'd take "Attitude" aside and explain how the lack of helpfulness caused someone to lose a day's pay.

You'll probably not be well received, but maybe it will plant a seed of change in this person's heart.

Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :

quote:
*licks rivka with his magical happy-tongue*
The happy-tongue makes you happy!

Telp, I fully expect that to be the strangest thing I read or hear anyone saying today. If it weren't specific to a particular person I'd make it my sig on Sakeriver or something.

Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :

Maybe hope that some OTHER teacher at the school needs a sub today...

Posted by Tigger (Member # 8171) on :

It is to your credit that you are concerned and figuring out ways to help this person, but truly! It's not your problem . . . you, too, have a family to care for, and a curriculum and lesson plan you are following.

Hang in there!

Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :

Thanks, y'all. [Smile]

I think I agree with Bob, and will act accordingly. Hopefully Wanda will be able to cancel the person who was supposed to cover for her at the other place; if not, I will tell her I think the person she needs to talk to is the principal.

And Tante, if you want to have a chat with Attitude Gal, be my guest. I will not be doing so, since I have enough trouble working with her now. [Razz]

mack, wouldn't that work out well? Unlikely, though.

Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :

End of story: Got other principal to agree that school should be paying Wanda. Then got call from Wanda -- she was able to get her classes back from the other place.

All's well that ends well, etc.

Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :

Hooray!

Posted by Goody Scrivener (Member # 6742) on :

heeeheee never thought I'd see Bill N Ted here... (and since we're in a teaching thread... it's "heinous" [Wink]

)

Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :

Oh, is THAT what he meant! *lightbulb*

Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :

*looks for reference* Oh for crying out loud. And I ignored that post entirely.

Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :

I understood what he meant...which is WHY I ignored it...