Should I Stay Or Should I Go?

[Scarlett]

I've worked 3 hours a week teaching at a private stage school for 3 years. They pay me way below the going rate, and i have to spend a great deal of time learning new work, writing it out, preparing it each week for the hour I get paid. I do not feel valued- the boss is surly, never thanks me and I constantly feel like I have to tiptoe round them. She is now dating a good friend of mine which has made things trickier. I am finding it emotionally exhausting doing this job, but I do need the money. Is this just what work is like?! Is everyone in the same boat as me- not enjoying it, feeling overworked and underpaid, feeling on the verge of being bullied, but keep doing it for the money? I haven't had any one to one time to discuss things in 3 years, and I think it would make things impossible if I spoke my mind. Should I just leave?!

[woofgang]

ermmm YES!!!!!

[janbee]

I would certainly look around for something else. Good luck Scarlett xx

[dannyk13]

No brainer, find another job.

[Peaspeculiars]

Scarlett, use this experience as a stepping stone and take a leap now that you no longer enjoy it. Start applying for jobs now and see where it leads - If you are being paid under the going rate, there must be other jobs similar out there that have a more acceptable wage, and hopefully that you'll enjoy.
If you can't talk to your employers and feel that they don't value you, now is the time to move on - but try and get a new job before handing in your notice if money is tight.

Yes, some jobs are like this, but it doesn't mean you have to put up with it, nor should you. If things really aren't going to change for the better your answer is right there.

Good luck and all the best, Peas

[bednobs]

lol at overworked and underpaid - you work there 3 hours a week but only get paid for one - is it so lucrative you can't afford to miss one hours pay a week?!

[THECORBYLOON]

Although you are working only for three hours per week, if you resign and claim Jobseeker's Allowance, your benefit could be stopped for thirteen weeks so you should bear that in mind.

[Scarlett]

It's permitted work which I do on ESA, as I'm disabled. Some weeks I can't get there cos of mobility- Access to Work have already stopped my help with cabs so it now costs me £15 in cabs unless I can get a lift! Not much incentive to continue other than the social aspect- as I would really see very few people at all if I gave up the job. I get paid for 3 hours but have to do on average 3 hours preparation each week too.

[boxtops]

Hardly worth staying if you feel so undervalued. Prep time should be included in your hourly teaching rate (it is when I teach).

[MallyJ]

You have now got a huge amount of experience that will give you a great starting point somewhere else. I wonder what qualifications you have to teach. If you have some then maybe part time in a school or some supply work may suit you. If not but it is what you want to do in the future you have gained valuable experience that will stand you in good stead for future applications. If none of that is the case and you are young maybe a look at other types of work for the moment. You could ask for an open testimonial should you choose to leave. If you are a teacher or want to be always be in one of the unions.

[MallyJ]

ignore me... it takes me so long to respond that the threads have gone past me!!!!!

[Scarlett]

I'm very limited in that I can't walk or stand, so sitting at a piano is my limit- but I can do that well, and know my stuff. I qualified 21 years ago and have taught every age group and school/college level. I am just very limited by often not being able to walk at all and therefore can't be responsible for a whole class in an emergency etc. But it is hard to find such specific work in my area as it is sought after by many!

[MallyJ]

Teaching from home .... you obviously are very skilled and I wonder about individual music lessons in a school or at your home. Certainly your current situation at work does not seem to be ideal .... have you discussed the situation with a union adviser? Might be worth a chat with them.

[Scarlett]

Thanks- good advice. I emailed my union but never got a reply.
I can't work from home due to the restrictions on my tenancy agreement! I will keep thinking !

[Retrochic]

scarlett -have you got a local church hall or village hall? most village halls have a piano and you could offer lessons from there. It sounds as if you are really being taken advantage of and really do need to discuss things with your 'boss'.

[tamborine]

First ask for wage increase. That will give her a sleepless nightmare of fear of tribunals. If wage rise is refused, go to tribunal.

[jourdain2]

I echo the ideas about teaching from home/village hall etc., since you are so restricted. In a similar situation once, I walked & became a supply teacher for a while, but your physical constraints make this tricky. You could contact all local schools offering your services and explaining your situation. Someone may be glad to boost their drama dept.. Otherwise, is there a stage school - evenings & weekends - operating anywhere nearby/ They are widespread. Good luck - private school heads can be very ruthless.

[Peter Pedant]

// Is this just what work is like?! Is everyone in the same boat as me- not enjoying it, feeling overworked and underpaid, feeling on the verge of being bullied, //

try working in the NHS

I used to wish for a Tesco manager because they were trained etc until we had one ! - that was even worse - day 1 w/o finding out what we did, she tried get a detail of midwives to assist at a head transplant in out patients

well OK not exactly but you get the idea of multi-tasking a poly-skilled workforce blah blah blah

[ that was CMFT by the way ]

[pusskin]

my friend is a fully qualified piano teacher and has all her clients to her house, and almost all of them pass with flying colours. (exams)
keep your hopes up and find something that gives you just what you need.
Amateur dramatic societys, theatres, lots of good ideas if you give it a lot of thought. Good luck Scarlet, you deserve it.

[tamborine]

A piano teacher here charges £20phour from her house. Its 1-1 and she is fully booked 5days pw.

[TWR]

Scarlett, with your experienced you would be far better off going it alone, go for it lass.x