I work in a school as a TA, and was put down for a school trip on Mon, Weds and Thurs (today). The trip involves hiking/climbing a 400m hill with a group of 5-7 year olds. Its about a 7 mile trek each day.
Monday was fine but was very tired after. Then yesterday, it rained ALL day. We weren't provided with waterproof gear so just had my trainers, joggers and waterproof coat. I was soaked through to the skin and freezing all day, from 9am-4pm (because I had to hang around work for the last hour in wet and muddy clothes).
Woke up this morning aching and have a horrible chest virus/infection. I thought, there's no way I'll be able to do the trip a 3rd time in a week without coughing and wheezing the whole time. I called in sick, got put through to the head on the phone. They give me the whole “oo get better soon” but then made a comment about needing to be more resilient, like excuse me??
I earn just over 10K (pounds) a year, no paid holiday time. I work 1:1 with an SEN child (haven't been trained to do so), and other SEN TAs at other SEN schools get paid 2x the amount. I work a 3/4 hour a day (morning/afternoon and lunch) which I don't get paid for. Don't call me out for not being able to take this shit.
I've been updating my CV and looking for a new job today, I'm sick of how badly they treat support staff in schools. I shouldn't be put in a position where my job makes me ill, then get chastised for not coming in the next day.