suepat10
I am one of the 63336
I work at a school of a lunchtime (12-1) for which I get paid but also help escorting on walks etc - which isn't paid.
When I had the interview and when I came in to fill in forms I was told that although I only work one hour a day I'm a full member of staff and entitled to the same as the other members of staff.
Today was Christmas lunch day so I put my name down on the staff list. I got in to work early as I knew they were starting earlier. There was a bit of a problem with the rota as a lot of people are off sick so one of the others went to see the Deputy Head. She explained I was in and it would be better if I went down to lunch with the Years 1-2 as that's who I work with of a lunchtime.
The Deputy Head commented that as I'm only in for one hour a day to work with the children I'm not entitled to a Christmas lunch but as I was already in she 'supposed' I could have one.
Well, I went and got the children settled in the dining hall and then came away as I was that cross I didn't want anything so went to the staffroom. One of the TA's asked why I was back so I told her and she was appalled. Playground workers have always had lunch in the past apparently.
Bearing in mind this was 11.40am and I only get paid from 12 (I wasn't asking for any overtime, bearing in mind they had already asked me to stay on to 1.30pm which I had agreed to do) I then bumped in to a Year 2 child who had 'escaped' from the dining hall so needed me in the playground. I could have been petty and refused but it wouldn't have been fair on him.
As we were leaving at 1.30pm the same Deputy Head came up and asked me and the other lady who only works of a lunchtime if we had had our dinners yet (obviously we hadn't!!). When we said no she told us there was enough for us to have one. Great - now it's gone all cold and slimy we could have one!
If it had just been the other playground assistant I may have stopped but when I saw that Deputy Head also in there I couldn't be asked. As I was walking down the drive she called after me to see if I wanted my lunch. I just said no thank you and carried on walking.
I know it's a small petty thing but I was left feeling stupid, the member of staff who had to relay back I wasn't entitled to one felt awkward. All because we were told we are entitled to the same as the other members of staff and I made the mistake of believing them!
When I had the interview and when I came in to fill in forms I was told that although I only work one hour a day I'm a full member of staff and entitled to the same as the other members of staff.
Today was Christmas lunch day so I put my name down on the staff list. I got in to work early as I knew they were starting earlier. There was a bit of a problem with the rota as a lot of people are off sick so one of the others went to see the Deputy Head. She explained I was in and it would be better if I went down to lunch with the Years 1-2 as that's who I work with of a lunchtime.
The Deputy Head commented that as I'm only in for one hour a day to work with the children I'm not entitled to a Christmas lunch but as I was already in she 'supposed' I could have one.
Well, I went and got the children settled in the dining hall and then came away as I was that cross I didn't want anything so went to the staffroom. One of the TA's asked why I was back so I told her and she was appalled. Playground workers have always had lunch in the past apparently.
Bearing in mind this was 11.40am and I only get paid from 12 (I wasn't asking for any overtime, bearing in mind they had already asked me to stay on to 1.30pm which I had agreed to do) I then bumped in to a Year 2 child who had 'escaped' from the dining hall so needed me in the playground. I could have been petty and refused but it wouldn't have been fair on him.
As we were leaving at 1.30pm the same Deputy Head came up and asked me and the other lady who only works of a lunchtime if we had had our dinners yet (obviously we hadn't!!). When we said no she told us there was enough for us to have one. Great - now it's gone all cold and slimy we could have one!
If it had just been the other playground assistant I may have stopped but when I saw that Deputy Head also in there I couldn't be asked. As I was walking down the drive she called after me to see if I wanted my lunch. I just said no thank you and carried on walking.
I know it's a small petty thing but I was left feeling stupid, the member of staff who had to relay back I wasn't entitled to one felt awkward. All because we were told we are entitled to the same as the other members of staff and I made the mistake of believing them!
