One of those days (VENT)

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One of those days (VENT)

by Terri in CA

Dec 3, 2009

Today was one of those days where I questioned why I do this.

I am a director & co-founder of a Christian Preschool.

I had 2 teachers call in sick today! Thank God that the sub we called in had worked with us befor, knows our mission & loves to help!

I had two 3 year olds crying all morning because their teacher was gone. She has not missed a school day (in the mornings at least) and the kids FREAKED! Most were fine with it though because the sub is great!

On top of that I had 2 parents wanting to negotiate this months tuition because we are closed for a few days this month. For both of these families we are only talking about their child missing 2 days this month! Yet they want me to refund them for those two days!

That was sure fun to deal with with the 2 screaming kids in the background. And both of the screaming kids were ones who's parents I was arguing with. (Gee i wonder if they reolized the arguing with me made their kids mo...See More

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cheryl I would love to know your policies on absenteeism...how many do you allow them to have, paid/unpaid, calling in sick--when and to whom? What do you do if they don't follow the policy? consequences?

We have a new facility also and attendance has been a giant issue for us. I can't keep people at working for actually being sick or just flat o...See More

Dec 20, 2009

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Terri in CA On 12/20/09, cheryl wrote: > I would love to know your policies on absenteeism...how many > do you allow them to have, paid/unpaid, calling in sick--when > and to whom? What do you do if they don't follow the > policy? consequences? > > We have a new facility also and attendance has been a giant > issue for us. I can't keep peo...See More

Dec 23, 2009

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cheryl Thanks,Terri. I have days built in paid...5 for illness but only 2 personal. Ours have at least 2 days off a month at 1:00 for personal business.

I had it built in that they would need a doctor's note on the third day but now with so much...I am going to change it so we get a note if they have been out more than 2 days in a given month. I...See MoreThanks,Terri. I have days built in paid...5 for illness but only 2 personal. Ours have at least 2 days off a month at 1:00 for personal business.

I had it built in that they would need a doctor's note on the third day but now with so much...I am going to change it so we get a note if they have been out more than 2 days in a given month. I have one that has only worked 60% of the time in 2 1/2 weeks.

Having never done this before(we have only been open 16 months and have grown from 5 to 70 students with no advertising), I struggle at times knowing what seems fair. I know what we had as a public school teacher but that isn't 355 days a year so to speak and with only training at night instead of durin gthe day!

Also, what do you do for motivation? This month I am doing draw names out of a jar for attendance, compliments, and cleanliness. Gift cards are the prizes. One FUN FRIDAY where we draw ping pong balls out of a bag that have dollar amounts on them for prizes. Everyone gets to draw.

Thanks for your insight.

On 12/23/09, Terri in CA wrote: > On 12/20/09, cheryl wrote: >> I would love to know your policies on absenteeism...how many >> do you allow them to have, paid/unpaid, calling in sick--when >> and to whom? What do you do if they don't follow the >> policy? consequences? >> >> We have a new facility also and attendance has been a giant >> issue for us. I can't keep people at working for actually >> being sick or just flat out lying (and we are supposed to be >> a Christian facility at that...ugh!!!) >> > Cheryl, > > Our full time employees are allowed 5 sick days paid a year & 5 > paid personal days a year but the personal days add up the > longer they have been with us. They have to use the days or at > the end of the year (August 15th) they loose them and start all > over. > > Our part-time teachers are different. They dont get paid sick > days or personal days. I wish we could pay them for sick days > but we just can't afford it) They are allowed 5 a year but we > are felxable with that. We do ask that no 2 employees ask for > the same days off (personal days) but if people are sick there > is not much you can do about that really. If they are lying you > could ask for a note from the DR if ti gets to be excessive.

Dec 23, 2009

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Terri in CA As far as training goes we close for a week between summer & fall for trainings. If someone needs training before then I do it 1 on 1.

We have staff meetings 2 times a month durring nap time. That has really helped motivation. I make sure to have the last 15 minutes of the meeting be about what they want to talk about. I dont give out ...See More

Dec 28, 2009

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cheryl Thanks. I did actually get to have a staff meeting in middle of the day last week and boy was it a joy. I have had so many out...ugh...I had one quit last night out of the blue...didn't show up for work and called late last night to quit...going through a divorce.

I am worn out and my kids are suffering. This too shall pass...need to pray ...See More

Dec 29, 2009

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