So how are YOU today?

msolga is resilient. She'll land on her feet.

Oh, **** Olga - not again!

That's rough, msolga.

It sounds from what margo says that you've gotten through a round of this before?

and that's not the least of Olga's problems - my mate Len and I have just booked to go to Melbourne again in January -supposedly for the tennis (Aus Open) - but really just to heap troubles on Olga!!!

Thanks for your sympathy & concern, Deb, Clary, soz & margo. And yes, Gus, I am resilient & will land (perhaps not so gracefully!) on my feet, one way or another. <sigh>

It's not 100% certain that this will happen, but the signs are definitely there & I'd be foolish to not pay attention. (7 staff "in excess" & a huge "debt". How a state school can be in debt to the state is a mystery to me! There has been ferocious belt tightening for years now. And still the school is in debt!) It just makes me rather angry that a person could be doing a good job in a difficult situation & could still face the sack because someone cheaper could be found. The government reckons these staff selection processes have "merit & equity" controls. Ha! Of course, though, it would be argued that I wasn't "sacked", but lost out in an above-board selection process!

I'll look forward to that, margo! (You & Len, I mean ... not the tennis! :wink: )

msolga

I guess I'm dense but is there no protection through seniority at all? Can they really replace you with someone cheaper -- even if that person has less experience (which I'm assuming would be the case) or perhaps less education? I'm guessing you're not unionized.

Tai

<sigh> It makes no difference whether you're unionized or not these days. (BTW I was a very committed unionist for years & years ... but have recently given up because the union is completely hopeless & out of touch with teachers' real concerns. Something I thought I would never do!)
My problem is (since resigning a permanent position - long story & I deeply regret having done that now! - about 6 years back) I've worked in contract positions. The rate of pay is the same as the permanent one, but obviously the security isn't there. This would not have been a problem at all a few years ago, but since government cut-backs to state schools money within those schools is really, really tight. They are given what is called a "global budget" by the government & are then given the choice (ha!) of how they spend it. Consequently the main concern of many schools (like the one I'm in) is simply surviving & making ends meet. It is like we're in a struggling business, not running an effective education service for the community. Anyway, one of the ways of "saving" $$$$ is to employ graduates (who I have nothing against, BTW) as opposed to more experienced teachers who cost more money. It's just that it's all meant to be a "merit & equity" process, when in reality it's a budget tightening exercise. I have no doubt that at times a graduate teacher might actually be preferable to an experienced teacher, but in this situation I have been doing a tough job well, for 2 years now. It seems that this might count for nought in the current circumstances of the school. <sigh>

So, moving right along .....
(now that I've put you all to sleep with all that stuff you didn't need to know .....)

How are YOU? (meaning anyone who might be reading this tread, but isn't grimacing or smiling elsewhere.)

Okay, contract positions I understand -- that explains a lot. Too bad you're having to deal with the stress, though.

Yep, too bad, Tai.
Getting rather used to it, though .... :wink:

I'm feeling bad for you, Olga. That's how I feel. I'm also a little blue because one of my closest co-workers is leaving tomorrow. she's quitting to spend more time with her little girl. I'm happy that she can afford to do that, but I'm so sad to see her go. We carpooled and we shared an office. My commute and day will be a little lonely. We often joked that we saw more of each other than our husbands. She helped make the long commute bearable.

Geez, is this a universal trait? Sorry to hear it. Rotten business.

I does seem to be, k.

Thanks for your kind thoughts, Swimpy. But, of course, it's not 100% definite, so who knows?
I'm sorry you've lost your commuting & office friend, too. I hope you manage to remain in touch & friends despite the changed circumstances, though.

Sorry to hear about your work troubles msolga, I hope things work out.

I am now going to post the phrase "merit & equity" on the Things That Make You Grimace and Grit Your Teeth thread. It really pisses me off when employers use wanky terms like this to excuse downright unfairness.

x

Thanks, Dorothy.

Yep, I don't know of a single person whose been shabbily treated in the process of applying for a teaching job or promotion who'd bother taking their complaint to the appropriate "merit & equity" body here. It's a waste of time & you never win!

What's the latest with work msolga?

I have a date tonight! God I hope I fancy him.

x

Thanks for your concern & interest, Dorothy. I won't know for certain till I hear (hopefully honestly) from the powers that be in admin. In the meantime I have toughened up a bit & have decided that I can & will cope with what-ever ....

Well, did you?

x