http://www.scottishsupplyteachers.com

original article   http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6155985

One teacher describes being “caught out with the ‘continuous’ clause, saying: “I worked every day for two weeks in three different schools, thinking my second week would be paid at the top of the scale. Had a shock when I got my pay slip. I didn’t realise that the proper salary scale only started if you were covering the same class for five continuous days.”

 If it is known from the outset that you are working 5 days or more then you should be paid to scale from day 1.  As it has been explained to me by several sources, including a union rep, payment at the lower 'daily' rate is not official, some authorities are chosing to implement it.

If you were to say to a plumber or a gas-fitter, you'll pay them half pay because "it's the first five days", they would laugh in your face.

Any profession which values itself, and the service it gives, should stand for this no longer.

Tell any school that calls you: Full Pay, from the First Day ... or it's No Way Jose!

That's what we should keep insisting on ... until this whole rotten idea is thrown where it belongs ... in the dustbin.

socrates82:

I would say they should pay the full rate from Day One kibosh.

" . . .Where it is known at the outset that the period of engagement is to be more than 5 days then the teacher should be issued with a fixed term contract as described in Appendix 2.8 paragraph 3.1 of the SNCT Handbook. "

Outset? This leaves a grey area of sufficient vagueness it appears the LAs and schools are filling in the 'blank' as they like. Unplanned absences, just like ill health itself, do not run to nice, neat schedules. If on day 2 of an absence, it is found out through a sick line perhaps that the teacher's absence will continue for more than a week, then the supply teacher should get paid to scale from day 2 and not from day 5.