Question for union people here

[Dopey Sharon]

I work in a school kitchen. We are contracted, by the Board of Education, to work 177 days a year. We are paid for 179 (Thanksgiving & Christmas are paid holidays). Our pay checks are always the same amount and we get 20 of them, two a month for 10 months. I just received a letter, from my supervisor, informing me that I must attend a mandatory inservice for one day the end of August, for 3 1/2 hours. We will be getting paid and we must attend. Can she do this? Do we have to attend? She has had these inservice days, at the end of August, the past five-six years, or so, but it was always something that if you wanted to attend you did, if not, that was ok, too. If you did attend, you got paid, but it was up to you whether or not you wanted to go. I went, a couple times, but they are really boring and the food isn't all that great, so I haven't gone the past few years.

I don't understand how she can make this mandatory, if we're not contracted for it.

 

[poohandwendy]

You would have to check your contract closely to see whether she can or not. It could have a clause for X amount of mandatory meetings (paid) if they are deemed necessary for continued job training or something like that.

Are you unable to attend or something? Is there something special about this meeting that she decided it should be mandatory?

 

[DoeWDW]

Maybe it's training that is mandated by the state for all food-handlers?? If you don't have it, you can no longer work in food service?? I'm just taking a wild guess.

 

[Dopey Sharon]

The board arranged for a speaker to come to the luncheon. Don't know who or what he/she is going to say. I'm guess this is why she is making it mandatory.

It's not anything from the state. We have to attend classes for food safety and sanitation every five years...this has nothing to do with that.

I'll have to dig out my contract and see what it says.

 

[DoeWDW]

Well, if someone (other than your supervisor) has gone to the trouble of arranging a speaker and having a luncheon, wouldn't your supervisor look pretty bad if his/her people didn't show up?

I'd think it would be a nice gesture on your part to go and help your supervisor look good - it's only 3.5 hours but it could create a lot of good will. Always good to stay on the boss's good side.

Can she FORCE you to go? Maybe not. Is it in your best interest to go anyway. Probably.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[Dopey Sharon]

Originally posted by DoeWDW
Well, if someone (other than your supervisor) has gone to the trouble of arranging a speaker and having a luncheon, wouldn't your supervisor look pretty bad if his/her people didn't show up?

I'd think it would be a nice gesture on your part to go and help your supervisor look good - it's only 3.5 hours but it could create a lot of good will. Always good to stay on the boss's good side.

Can she FORCE you to go? Maybe not. Is it in your best interest to go anyway. Probably.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

I didn't think about it this way. You're right, she would look bad if half the food service department didn't show up.

If people already have plans, I don't think it would come down to your job or your plans, but she did make it mandatory that we attend.

I guess I'll go. I just hope it's better than the past inservices.

Thanks for the replies!

 

[Cindy B]

Technically I am "supposed" to attend in services as well. (I work in a school but as a paraprofessional). When teachers have in service, we don't have to attend.

However, the classroom aides, (the aides that work directly with students) leave as soon as their students leave. However, the "office/attendance/library/ nurses office aides" - who are NOT assigned to any particular student are required to attend.

Why? I have no idea!