Teacher told to "work contracted hours" when he's been helping kids in the gym after school, he stops forcing the district to hire someone: ‘I was told to work my contractual hours, I’m only paid until 2:22. I did this for fun, and it was unofficial’

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Brad Dickson • Managing Editor
May 29, 2025 12:00 PM EDT

Working 7:10 to 2:22—what a way to make a living… Reminding workers that they should "work their scheduled hours" is basically the first line in any manager's playbook. The thing is that. And sure, any worker should turn up to their job on time, that's just a part of the arrangement, but it's worth considering the fact that sometimes things are just going to happen that may occasionally make workers late for their shift and, as a manager you need to carefully consider all the circumstances that might be at play and consider all the extra time they might be spending working that you're not immediately accounting for. Laying down the hammer too swiftly might have unintended consequences. 

Teachers are famously underpaid for the importance of their role in society. It's almost a guarantee that if you're in that career, you're in it for the love of the job, working with kids, guiding them, and helping them along the path towards success, rather than for the compensation. This is, well, let's be honest, it's taken advantage of, and oftentimes, administration will gladly turn a blind eye to the after-school activities teachers are doing for the students outside of their working hours. That's even before you consider the late nights and weekends that most teachers spend grading papers and aren't compensated for.

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  • 01

    "Was told to work my contract hours. Damage ensued..."

    Teacher here in inner city. Found myself coming in at 7::12-7:15 for a week or two, supposed to be there for 7:10. My Daughter's daycare is getting construction done so had to park across street and drop her off. Got reprimanded and a mark on my file for not working during contractual hours; "you're paid for working 7:10 to 2:22." Fine.
    via EverybodyWangChung52
  • 02
    Cheezburger Image 10511513856
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  • 03
    Once school is out at 2:02 1 usually open up the weightroom and let athletes workout, give some advice (I was a college athlete and lifted a lot), and I watch them until about 3:15 when their coaches get there. Kids love it, I love it, coaches love it, never asked for pay. But my contracts done at 2:22.
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  • 04
    One day. Only one day. I posted on our webpage that I wasn't going to be there. What happened? That same day numerous phones stolen from locker room so cops came, weightroom door broke open, kids running through halls and ran into a teacher sending her to Urgent Care. Admin calls me in asking why I wasn't watching them. "I was told to work my contractual hours, I'm only paid until 2:22. I did this for fun, and it was unofficial."
    via EverybodyWangChung52
  • 05
    Next day whole district gets an email for a job posting "Afterschool Weightroom Coach." Admin asked me to apply. Now it's costing them money. Edit: since some of you seem to be butthurt that this isn't real and "how could they post a position so quickly" here's my response to a comment below;
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  • 06
    It's a long story, we actually used to have a dedicated strength and conditioning coach. He quit last year because, you might guess, was sick of dealing with my admin. They posted the position but no one wanted it and I wasn't qualified (needed a CSCS). So I unofficially took over because kids wanted to work out which I applaud them for. The new position posted was a revised posting with lowered qualifications so I could take it
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  • 08
    Unasked_for_advice 8h ago Rarely does anyone appreciate what they get for free, now after they got over their power trip they can pay you for your time.
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  • 09
    CoderJoe1 8h ago They couldn't weight to take advantage of you. They deserve to pay.
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  • 10
    . MisterSirDudeGuy • 8h ago Good for you. That's exactly. how it should be arranged. You shouldn't be working for fun or free (it's a liability), and there should be someone scheduled for that work.
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  • 11
    . gruntbuggly ⚫ 7h ago I love it when doofus bureaucrats pick up big rocks and promptly throw them at their own feet.
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  • 12
    Beneficial_Ad7906 7h ago • Contractual hour Imao. My wife works almost All day on Sundays and several hours after school just to do what is required. Does she get paid no. But it has to get done right?... It's ridiculous. how you all are treated. I tried to sneak in a couple hours overtime for my job got caught and said I have to be clocked in. It was all paperwork to help me out in
    via EverybodyWangChung52
  • 13
    the future or anyone that would take over the project, but they said if it's for work clock in because they need to track my time to properly create better man hour bids or something.... The gov would see whats going on if they just tracked it... But they wouldn't pay They wouldn't care too. It's just not right.
    via EverybodyWangChung52
  • 14
    Chance_Chart_7065 8h ago Play stupid games, and win stupid prizes. Extra money for you though, so win win
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  • 15
    xis... 6h ago Edited 6h ago Look into getting backpay since it was technically a paid activity.
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  • 16
    dave65gto 4h ago In public education, "No good deed goes unpunished." There is a reason there are administrators. They s k at teaching.
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