A Teacher’s Response to Being Reprimanded for a Minor Tardiness
Many jobs have strict start and end times, which can sometimes feel unnecessary. However, for certain professions, punctuality is crucial. This is especially true for teachers, who are expected to be present at their designated times. Imagine arriving just two minutes late for work, only to face reprimand from your boss. Would you simply adjust your schedule in the future, or would you find a way to demonstrate your value and show that your contributions are being overlooked?
In this story, a teacher in an inner-city school faced such a situation. He had been arriving between 7:12 and 7:15 for a week or two, while his contract required him to be there by 7:10. The reason? His daughter’s daycare was undergoing construction, so he had to park across the street and drop her off. Despite this, he received a reprimand and a mark on his file for not adhering to his contractual hours.
Volunteering Beyond Contractual Hours
This teacher often worked late after school ended at 2:02 PM. He would open the weightroom and allow athletes to workout, offering advice based on his experience as a college athlete. He would stay until about 3:15 PM when the coaches arrived. This activity was appreciated by the kids, the coaches, and even the teacher himself, though he never asked for payment.
However, once the school day officially ended at 2:22 PM, he decided to stop staying late. One day, he posted on the school’s webpage that he wouldn’t be available. That same day, several phones were stolen from the locker room, the weightroom door was broken open, and students ran through the halls, causing a teacher to be sent to urgent care.
Turning Volunteer Work into Paid Employment
The following day, the school administration called him to ask why he wasn’t watching the students. He responded by stating that he was only paid until 2:22 PM and that his previous involvement was voluntary and unofficial. The next day, the entire district received an email for a job posting titled “Afterschool Weightroom Coach.” The administration then asked him to apply for the position, which now cost them money.
It seems that this situation turned out well for the teacher. He might as well earn extra money doing something he enjoyed anyway.
Reddit’s Reaction to the Story
Reddit users had mixed reactions to this story. Some believed the teacher deserved to be paid for his time, while others felt he shouldn’t have been working for free. One user criticized school administrators, while another was amazed by how quickly the new position was posted. Another person fully supported the idea that the new role was created in response to the teacher’s absence.
Many users also shared the sentiment that no one appreciates the work you do for free until you stop doing it.
If you found this story interesting, you might also enjoy a post about a woman who tracked down a contractor who tried to disappear without a trace.
