TOLD TO WORK 6 HOURS FOR FREE

Lovelyguy

Hi all

My partner works mornings in childcare. I work nights elsewhere. We have children.

Recently she was asked/told by her boss that she has to come back in for 2 evenings next week for 3 hours each for "parent teacher meetings". She agreed as she presumed she will get paid for this. The next day she was talking to a serious co-worker who assured her that she won't get paid for this! :eek: We have already organised a babysitter (who will have to get paid) and she doesn't drive, so she'll have to use the LUAS.

Anyone know if this is legal or common? Thanks for any input.

ColBackAgain

Lovelyguy wrote: »

Hi all

My partner works mornings in childcare. I work nights elsewhere. We have children.

Recently she was asked/told by her boss that she has to come back in for 2 evenings next week for 3 hours each for "parent teacher meetings". She agreed as she presumed she will get paid for this. The next day she was talking to a serious co-worker who assured her that she won't get paid for this! :eek: We have already organised a babysitter (who will have to get paid) and she doesn't drive, so she'll have to use the LUAS.

Anyone know if this is legal or common? Thanks for any input.

Don't take what I say as being correct. But just to me, if shes paid hourly, then yes surely more hours = more pay.

If shes on a fixed wage. Eg. X amount per week, per month, per year. Then I reckon it's legal. In this case he contract probably says "you get paid X amount a month. to do these duties"....

That's just my 2 cents on it. I know in my weekend job. more hours = more wages.

But my weekday job is X amount per week for 40 hours. But hours over that are assumed as "part of my duties". likewise that 40 hours could be less one week and more another. (I dont get docked wages if I take a day off)

CIARAN_BOYLE

Lovelyguy wrote: »

Anyone know if this is legal or common? Thanks for any input.

Its the way it works for teachers, not sure about the rest of the childcare sector.

monkeypants

No chance it could be counted as lost time and taken later?

Lovelyguy

Cheers for the responses guys. She gets paid by the hour and the boss is very quick to deduct pay for sick days/going home early due to sickness/our kids when sick.

Just seems pretty illegal and harsh as this is nothing to do with public sector, croke park etc.

Marcusm

Lovelyguy wrote: »

Cheers for the responses guys. She gets paid by the hour and the boss is very quick to deduct pay for sick days/going home early due to sickness/our kids when sick.

Just seems pretty illegal and harsh as this is nothing to do with public sector, croke park etc.

If she's not paid for sick days then I would swiftly tell him to foxtrot oscar on this suggestion. If she was a fulltime worker or permanent part time, I would have a different expectation.

dan_ep82

I have some knowledge with employment law but it doesn't extend to the teaching sector,and its small even when it doesn't.

Before jumping the gun,ring her union for some better advice. If you were working on a day rate you wouldn't turn in for an extra unpaid day(which it isn't far off) but maybe teachers work differently?

teacherhead

Firstly, childcare and teaching are two different things. Although the interchangability used here highlights the attitude of the general public to teaching.

Secondly, in teaching parent teacher meetings are held on a one per half term basis, generally, for different year groups in second level and, afaik, once a year in primary.

I would imagine it's a creche or Montessori of some description, 6 hours of parent teacher meetings would be excessive surely. Even at 5 mins per parent you would need to be looking after over a hundred children.

Croke park, disaster that it is, covers this stuff for teachers in state schools. Otherwise it seems that your missus is bein shafted.