Open Discussion Forum

  • 1.  Teacher Handbook Updates

    Posted 06-11-2020 11:28 AM
    Good Morning Everyone,
    I live in FL and i am trying to figure out if i need to make changes to my teacher handbook. I have two teachers that just stopped responding to my call-emails-texts. As far as I know, due to the PPP loan I must have the same amount of teachers I had in February. So I repleaced those two, so I do not get penalized with having to pay the loan back. Can I send them a letter telling them that due to the fact that they have not responded to me. I have to replace them and therefore let them go? Now, Will that affect me with my insurance? because I am sure they will go and try to apply for unemployment. Or do i just igonre the fact that they have not responded to me? Do I have to have something specific on my teacher handbook to be able to fire them?
    Thank you in advance for your input.

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    [Sandra] Rodriguez
    [Director]
    [Florida]
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  • 2.  RE: Teacher Handbook Updates

    Posted 06-12-2020 08:22 AM
    Hi Sandra,
    I recommend you to check with your state department of Labor.  You should send the letters with a tracking number to document your efforts to call them back in case they apply for unemployment you can appeal and the letters will serve you as evidence. Also save all your emails and texts.
    -Ruth

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    Ruth Porta
    Administrator
    La Esperanza Child Development Center, LLC
    Albuquerque NM
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  • 3.  RE: Teacher Handbook Updates

    Posted 06-12-2020 01:52 PM
    Thank you for your input Ruth. I have all teh proof of my efforts to contacte them.

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    [Sandra] Rodriguez
    [Director]
    [Florida]
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  • 4.  RE: Teacher Handbook Updates

    Posted 06-12-2020 12:44 PM
    My staff handbook included a statement that if they did not show up to work as scheduled and did not contact me, they were considered to have resigned. I think we gave them 1-2 days to respond to allow for things like medical emergencies or accidents but after that, you don't come to work or notify us, then you are no longer employed, by your choice.

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    Alison Myers
    Compliance Specialist
    Ore Assn of Relief Nurseries
    Corvallis OR
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  • 5.  RE: Teacher Handbook Updates

    Posted 06-12-2020 02:01 PM
    Hi Alison,
    I have this statement on my employee handbook:

    These are some of the behaviors that will be a reason for disciplinary actions/ termination of employment

    • Absence without notification and/or without approval (abandonment of position) neglect of duty.
    I think i should be covered then.
    Thanks a lot.

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    [Sandra] Rodriguez
    [Director]
    [Florida]
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  • 6.  RE: Teacher Handbook Updates

    Posted 06-12-2020 03:15 PM
    That would be considered no cal/no show...now the PPP allows for you to have special circumstances about offering the jobs and not be able to rehire.....
    The new PPP rules also 24 weeks if you choose to spend the money and if you can show you are needing as much staff...they can waive that requirement...hope that helps!

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    Rhonda Trumbo
    Nashville TN
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  • 7.  RE: Teacher Handbook Updates

    Posted 06-12-2020 08:32 PM
    Thanks. It does.

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    [Sandra] Rodriguez
    [Director]
    [Florida]
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  • 8.  RE: Teacher Handbook Updates

    Posted 06-15-2020 11:56 AM
    Are we suppose to report to unemployment when the teachers just stop showing up for work? I would hate having to do that, but at the same time. I do not want to get in trouble with the law.

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    [Sandra] Rodriguez
    [Director]
    [Florida]
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  • 9.  RE: Teacher Handbook Updates

    Posted 06-16-2020 12:47 AM
    Sandra - when our church updated its Employee Handbook with a HR consultant she advised to be very clear about whether an employee is "Employed" or not. In your case with an employee that doesn't show up is absent without approval. Until you take disciplinary action and terminate them (by policy, of course) they are an employee.  Remember we don't report "Unemployment" we report termination of employment.
    The person not reporting to work may indeed have another job, thus not unemployed.
    In California the State Employment Development Department is very strict about reporting all separations from employment, for any reason.

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    John DeLoof
    Business Manager
    Morningside Presbyterian Children's Center
    Fullerton CA
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