Why won't they return my calls or answer me?

[mortensorchid]

I am a substitute teacher.  I am currently subbing in 2 districts in my city.  After some oddness that went down with Disteict A last year I decided that I was not going to sub in that district for the remainder of the year.  So I went to District B.  In May of spring semester last year I was in a middle school when I was sent home.  What happened?  I was monitoring a standardized test that a 7th grade class was taking when they were out of control - maybe 3 or 4 of them were actually taking the test the rest were screwing around.  One gave me attitude and I leaned into him over it.  I got sent home because of it.  I have no idea if they finished the standardized test or not.  Wouldn't they get into trouble over that?  After that I decided not to go back to that district for the remainder of the year and do other things to make money.  But I digress...

I am not sure if I am still employed with district B anymore.  I haven't gotten any pings from them through their online system at all.  And, I have contacted the subbing department via email and voice-mail and I never got a response.  I emailed the HR department contact and asked them if I am still employed with them (I mean, I want to KNOW if I am or not).  The HR contact then cced in her response the appropriate people (including the subbing contact) to get with me about how to use the one system to accept or reject a job.  I reached out to all of those who were copied.  NO ONE has responded.

What do I do now?  Do I just roll over and move on?  This is just bad that no one even bothers to respond to me.  I mean I want to know if I am still employed with them or not because I honestly don't know if I am or not.

[glows]

I’d take it that you are. HR wouldn’t have put you in contact with the person in charge of how the system works if you’re not.

Are you having trouble accepting a job/shift in the system or are you blocked in any way from accessing those jobs? 

[mortensorchid]

1 hour ago, glows said:

I’d take it that you are. HR wouldn’t have put you in contact with the person in charge of how the system works if you’re not.

Are you having trouble accepting a job/shift in the system or are you blocked in any way from accessing those jobs? 

The jobs themselves are not filtering in at all.  I just want to know if I am still employed with them or not because just to go poof is rude AF.

[mortensorchid]

Should I contact anyone else about this?  I have no idea if I am employed with them or not anymore.

[ShyViolet]

I think no response is a response.  If they are not replying to your attempts to reach out, and no longer getting sub job offers, obviously you are no longer employed with them.  Especially in light of the fact that there was a bad incident in which you were sent home.  Yes it seems rude that they would just ghost you, but jobs can be like that sometimes.

[BrinnM]

Is this a W2 job or a 1099 job? I would think that if you’ve been employed with a W2, that’s a more formal scenario, where you would’ve received some kind of a dismissal letter, if they wanted to fire you; whereas as a 1099 independent contractor, you’re not considered an employee anyways, so they can just stop assigning you. 

Edited November 7, 2022 by BrinnM

[glows]

45 minutes ago, mortensorchid said:

Should I contact anyone else about this?  I have no idea if I am employed with them or not anymore.

Are you interested in working with them or are you inquiring to find out? You seemed you wanted to take a break and were turned off not long ago.

You can follow up with HR a second time as it’s a yes/no question although I don’t see that being the main issue. The main issue is you can’t see jobs filtering in and you may not be using the system correctly, not because they don’t want you. You can’t get a hold of the subbing assistant either. I recall they’ve been disorganized in the past.

How long ago were you cc’d and when did you send a follow up email or leave vms? I’d call the HR contact and briefly explain you can’t see the jobs filtering in and want access. Be direct and let her know you haven’t heard back from the subbing assistant. Don’t bother asking if you’re still employed as that’s not the actual issue. If you want access to the jobs ask to be given access and explain not being able to see them.

Edited November 7, 2022 by glows

[ExpatInItaly]

6 hours ago, mortensorchid said:

One gave me attitude and I leaned into him over it.  I got sent home because of it.

What does this mean, exactly? What did you do? 

I would call HR instead of emailing this time. Explain that there has been no follow-up from anyone so you need to clarify your employment status. I have to say it doesn't sound very promising if nobody has responded to you, but it's worth an actual phone call. 

[mortensorchid]

I called them today and talked to someone in the HR department/ superintendent office.  They will get back to me.  If not then I know I am looking elsewhere regardless.  And I have my other jobs to help me move on.

[mortensorchid]

15 hours ago, ExpatInItaly said:

What does this mean, exactly? What did you do? 

I would call HR instead of emailing this time. Explain that there has been no follow-up from anyone so you need to clarify your employment status. I have to say it doesn't sound very promising if nobody has responded to you, but it's worth an actual phone call. 

I leaned into him because he and the others in the room were supposed to be taking a standardized test and they were screwing around.  What was going to happen to them if they didn't finish the test?  I guess that wasn't the point.  It's all about data points now what if they didn't do the test?

[basil67]

What does "leaned into him" mean?   What were your actions/words?

 

Edited November 7, 2022 by basil67
typo

[ExpatInItaly]

5 hours ago, mortensorchid said:

I leaned into him because he and the others in the room were supposed to be taking a standardized test and they were screwing around.  What was going to happen to them if they didn't finish the test?  I guess that wasn't the point.  It's all about data points now what if they didn't do the test?

No, I am asking what exactly you said and did. 

[LuckyM]

I worked as a substitute years ago. I'd say you are out of there, done. When you are sent home, that's it.Substitutes, as I recall, are usually transient help. No contract, hired and fired at will.  This is unfair, I know, but that's the business.

 Avoid using them as a reference in the future. "Lean into" is ambiguous. If you touched a student, even by accident, the school has a policy against this  possibly. Write it off as a warning and good luck.

 

[mortensorchid]

10 hours ago, ExpatInItaly said:

No, I am asking what exactly you said and did. 

He mouthed off to me saying "I don't want to take this f****** test" And I got in his face and said "Don't talk to me that way! You are supposed to be taking a state standardized test and you are going to take it! Straiten up and take it!" Or something along those lines.  I was fed up with them all screwing around and not doing their work when they were supposed to be working.  I leaned in, had my finger in his face and had him cringing.  Was I too harsh?  Maybe, but what was I supposed to do?

[NuevoYorko]

3 hours ago, mortensorchid said:

  I leaned in, had my finger in his face and had him cringing.  Was I too harsh?  Maybe, but what was I supposed to do?

I don't know if "too harsh" is quite it, but it was obviously not an appropriate way for a teacher to handle 7th graders misbehaving in class - and that's why you got sent home.   Did the student report you?  

Sending home a substitute teacher in the middle of a class is pretty serious.   I think you are permanently off the roster of this employer.  

Edited November 8, 2022 by NuevoYorko

[mortensorchid]

I got an answer today at last.  Someone in administration called and said that they have hired more permanent building subs and do not have as much of a need for them at rhe moment.  I did have a chat with him about things.  To be clear to others reading this, I AM still employed with them, he verified that.  I told him that I needed a few minutes to say what I feel and what I felt was that people simply did not care.  

I said I don't know you but you have more important things to do with your time than cater to insignificant little me.  But I had called the district multiple times, emailed I don't know how many people, left voicemails for these people as well.  No one bothered to return these calls or emails.  It is the courtesy that they didn't have that bothered me.  I mean, I wanted to know if I was still employed with them or not.  And NO ONE bothered to call me back on this and I had to go as high up as you for an answer?  That's ridiculous.  He agreed.  

I said now if you were to call me tomorrow and say we need a sub, I would sub.  But it's the courtesy and unprofessionalism of blowing me off that bothers me.  I said I wasn't about to show up and demand an answer because that is unprofessional and rude, but it's equally on their part as well.  He agreed.

However, I am probably going to close the book and move on.  I am glad I have my answer.  

[glows]

I never doubted you were employed like I had mentioned otherwise HR would not have forwarded you to the other staff, primarily the person supposedly in charge of the one system. 

None of this needed to happen. All you had to do was ask for access to the job listings or any adjustments so you are able to see them. I understand you didn’t get the answer when you wanted but it seems more like you’re trying to make a point about how horrible they are rather than actually being interested in the jobs available.

Edited November 8, 2022 by glows

[BrinnM]

2 hours ago, mortensorchid said:

I AM still employed with them

How? Do you get a (part-time) base salary? 

[mortensorchid]

1 hour ago, glows said:

I never doubted you were employed like I had mentioned otherwise HR would not have forwarded you to the other staff, primarily the person supposedly in charge of the one system. 

None of this needed to happen. All you had to do was ask for access to the job listings or any adjustments so you are able to see them. I understand you didn’t get the answer when you wanted but it seems more like you’re trying to make a point about how horrible they are rather than actually being interested in the jobs available.

Oh I think it did.  I am not a princess or a Karen, but I did get into trouble with them last year once as they said I didn't show up on two days for a job.  I said I had emailed the sub contact in administration to remove me from the jobs.  I provided two emails which I forwarded back to them as well as the principal(s) at the schools in question.  I didn't know how I could remove myself from the system myself, so I forwarded it to the appropriate person and ... She never followed up with me or anyone else.  Someone said something to me when I came in at a later date. 

[ExpatInItaly]

14 hours ago, mortensorchid said:

I leaned in, had my finger in his face and had him cringing.  Was I too harsh?  Maybe, but what was I supposed to do?

I am a teacher as well. And no, this was not an appropriate way for you to handle the situation. 

You are supposed to take a couple deep breaths inside yourself. Remain composed. You cannot be serious that you thought there were no other alternatives to your reaction. Yes, kids can be frustrating and disrespectful little goobers. However, this is the classroom. The onus is on you as the teacher and general authority figure to conduct yourself with maturity and professionalism and not react emotionally. You made a mistake getting in a kid's face, and unforuantely, it cost you. I woudn't count on using this school as a reference in the future. 

The school district should have communicated to you that your services are no longer needed, yes. But at least now you know. 

 

[mortensorchid]

8 hours ago, ExpatInItaly said:

I am a teacher as well. And no, this was not an appropriate way for you to handle the situation. 

You are supposed to take a couple deep breaths inside yourself. Remain composed. You cannot be serious that you thought there were no other alternatives to your reaction. Yes, kids can be frustrating and disrespectful little goobers. However, this is the classroom. The onus is on you as the teacher and general authority figure to conduct yourself with maturity and professionalism and not react emotionally. You made a mistake getting in a kid's face, and unforuantely, it cost you. I woudn't count on using this school as a reference in the future. 

The school district should have communicated to you that your services are no longer needed, yes. But at least now you know. 

 

This was more of an anger on my part that the district was / is so lazy to not get back to me.  I mean I want to KNOW and they didn't bother to let me know?  That's just rude and unprofessional of them.  All I wanted was a yes/no answer and they could have taken a few minutes to answer me.