Primary School Teacher on Temp Contract: Asked personal questions

I recently worked for a Muslim-run institution (Primary-school) on a temporary contract.

Upon return from holidays, I was shocked to find that my job had been given to someone else.

By law I was entitled to be told that my job was being advertised again. However this did not happen.

When I expressed my concern I was shocked to be asked--"Have you been drinking?.

I was later told by another ex-employee (there are many as there seems to be a high turn-over of staff) that he too was asked the same question when he expressed concern about work-related issues.

I am just wondering if this is legal or are employers fully entitled to ask these type of questions. It seemed more of an accusation than a question.

Re: Personal questions asked by employee

Hi Ned,

Are you a memeber of the primary teachers trade union INTO?

aj

Re: Personal questions asked by employee

Was your original temporary contract due to expire at the time that someone else took over the role?

Re: Personal questions asked by employee

Thank you all for your replies.
Yes, I am a member of the I.N.T.O. and am currently in discussions with them about the whole issue.I was entitled to be informed of up-coming interviews, which I wasn't, despite the fact that I emailed them informing them of my wish to continue the contract. Unfortunately, there are many grey areas and the I.N.T.O. don't always have clear answers so I thought I would seek some more opinions. Could anyone direct me to a website or agency where I might get information on employees rights etc. as I would like to be armed with as much information as possible.

Re: Personal questions asked by employee

ned said:

Could anyone direct me to a website or agency where I might get information on employees rights etc. as I would like to be armed with as much information as possible.

Click to expand...

http://www.entemp.ie/employment/rights/

Have to say - as an ex-teacher (though I taught music in the even more fraught area of private schools) - that these temp roles are notorious areas for abuse of the current persons rights. I do know of cases where a position is "temporary" for as many as 17 years. And it is interesting to see how many pigs in the Dail hold onto their teaching posts rather than give somebody else a chance of a permanent job while they are out earning nearly 3 times the salary of a teacher.

You certainly are entitled to be informed of the readvertising of the post which you were in, though I don't know if you should be automatically considered. It would certainly be common courtesy to inform you.

My experience of these situations (mostly to other people rather than me, fortunately) was that usually the temp was let go of because the boards/school/head had some crony in mind for the position, and after than the entire advertisement and interview process was a sham designed to half-heartedly conceal this.

If anyway you're being asked offensive questions like that I would look elsewhere, but put a complaint into the Department about the conduct of your former boss as its an unacceptable question and unacceptable behaviour.

(PS Reason I left teaching was the lack of job security assoicated with part time and "temporary" postions. At the time there was also no entitlement to holiday or sick pay which has now changed for most people).

ned said:

By law I was entitled to be told that my job was being advertised again. However this did not happen.

Click to expand...

Just curious - what law?

What length was temp contract ??? , any reasons given for contract finishing prematurely, the drink issue is a red herring, you have been given no warnings ( I assume) , and should have a good case.


INTO say lots of grey areas, is this the first time they have brought a case against a school ???? , get on the phone to your rep. and ask for clarification of their case against the school and timelines for labour relations commission .