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School refuses interview expenses!

About a week ago I asked readers if it is normal practice for schools to pay the interview expenses
of unsuccessful job candidates?

My daughter recently went through a two day interview with an unusual twist - the two interviews
were a week apart! This means that she had to make the long and expensive journey from her
university to the school twice, the second time for a single twenty minute interview!

At no point did they offer to pay her expenses. I have looked through the literature they supplied
and they don't mention this miserly fact anywhere.

Readers suggested that she should write to the school with details of her expenses asking for them
to be reimbursed. She acted on this advice but received a very snooty letter back - "I must inform
you that we are unable to reimburse you for these cost"

Queen Victoria School in Sedgley might be a school to avoid!

Martin Nicholson, Daventry, UK

International Astronomical Union's Minor Planet Centre - Observatory Code 456
http://www.gcse-ict.info/astronomy/front.htm

Reply 1

Unregistered

Martin Nicholson <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
[q1]> About a week ago I asked readers if it is normal practice for schools to pay the interview[/q1]
[q1]> expenses of unsuccessful job candidates?[/q1]
[q1]>[/q1]
[q1]> My daughter recently went through a two day interview with an unusual twist - the two interviews[/q1]
[q1]> were a week apart! This means that she had to make the long and expensive journey from her[/q1]
[q1]> university to the school twice, the second time for a single twenty minute interview![/q1]
[q1]>[/q1]
[q1]> At no point did they offer to pay her expenses. I have looked through the literature they supplied[/q1]
[q1]> and they don't mention this miserly fact anywhere.[/q1]
[q1]>[/q1]
[q1]> Readers suggested that she should write to the school with details of her expenses asking for them[/q1]
[q1]> to be reimbursed. She acted on this advice but received a very snooty letter back - "I must inform[/q1]
[q1]> you that we are unable to reimburse you for these cost"[/q1]
[q1]>[/q1]
[q1]> Queen Victoria School in Sedgley might be a school to avoid![/q1]

Well, I for one stand corrected!

Suggest letter of complaint / astonishment / indignation to chair of guvs (get home address to avoid
interception); also, Sedgley's LEA; Sedgley local press; TES; her own college / uni's careers
officer. If no success, write to Sec of State, copy your MP, asking whether they truly want to
encourage youngsters to go into teaching.

Less abrasive, she could write to HT suggesting they must have made a mistake, and would s/he care
to reconsider.

Also ask why they are "unable" - they are either bankrupt or lying. Both would make front page of
the nationals. "Unable" does not mean "not prepared to".

Do hope she gets a good job at a respectable and honourable school v. soon.

Keep us posted!

--
Martin

(remove barrier to reply)

Reply 2

Unregistered

[q1]>I have never heard of expenses being offered for a school interview.[/q1]

Strange since it is a common practice - particularly when the interview is being held over two days.

Perhaps you never get called for any interviews!

Martin Nicholson, Daventry, UK

International Astronomical Union's Minor Planet Centre - Observatory Code 456
http://www.gcse-ict.info/astronomy/front.htm

Reply 3

Unregistered

"Martin Nicholson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
[q1]> About a week ago I asked readers if it is normal practice for schools to pay the interview[/q1]
[q1]> expenses of unsuccessful job candidates?[/q1]
[q1]>[/q1]
[q1]> My daughter recently went through a two day interview with an unusual twist - the two interviews[/q1]
[q1]> were a week apart! This means that she had to make the long and expensive journey from her[/q1]
[q1]> university to the school twice, the second time for a single twenty minute interview![/q1]
[q1]>[/q1]
[q1]> At no point did they offer to pay her expenses. I have looked through the literature they supplied[/q1]
[q1]> and they don't mention this miserly fact anywhere.[/q1]
[q1]>[/q1]
[q1]> Readers suggested that she should write to the school with details of her expenses asking for them[/q1]
[q1]> to be reimbursed. She acted on this advice but received a very snooty letter back - "I must inform[/q1]
[q1]> you that we are unable to reimburse you for these cost"[/q1]
[q1]>[/q1]
[q1]> Queen Victoria School in Sedgley might be a school to avoid![/q1]

If this is a state-funded school, then the governors and executive will, of course, need to account
for how they spend our (tax payers) hard-earned money.

Reply 4

Unregistered

In article <[email protected]>, Tameside Emerald CSC <[email protected]> writes
[q1]>I have never heard of expenses being offered for a school interview.[/q1]

That's interesting. I've *always* been paid expenses for attending an interview, and when I was
interviewed for my current post, that included two nights B&B in a hotel, and two main meals as well
as travel expenses.

--
Kathy There is nothing more dangerous than a man with an idea.

Reply 5

Unregistered

On Fri, 24 May 2002 22:47:40 +0100, Tameside Emerald CSC wrote:

[q1]> "martin" <[email protected]> wrote in message[/q1]
[q1]> news:[email protected]...[/q1]
[q1]> |[/q1]
[q1]> | Martin Nicholson <[email protected]> wrote in message[/q1]
[q1]> | news:[email protected]...[/q1]
[q1]> | > About a week ago I asked readers if it is normal practice for schools to pay the interview[/q1]
[q1]> | > expenses of unsuccessful job candidates?[/q1]
[q1]> | >[/q1]
[q1]> | > My daughter recently went through a two day interview with an unusual twist - the two[/q1]
[q1]> | > interviews were a week apart! This means that she had to make the long and expensive journey[/q1]
[q1]> | > from her university to the school twice, the second time for a single twenty minute interview![/q1]
[q1]> | >[/q1]
[q1]> | > At no point did they offer to pay her expenses. I have looked through the literature they[/q1]
[q1]> | > supplied and they don't mention this miserly fact anywhere.[/q1]
[q1]> | >[/q1]
[q1]> | > Readers suggested that she should write to the school with details of her expenses asking for[/q1]
[q1]> | > them to be reimbursed. She acted on this advice but received a very snooty letter back - "I[/q1]
[q1]> | > must inform you that we are unable to reimburse you for these cost"[/q1]
[q1]> | >[/q1]
[q1]> | > Queen Victoria School in Sedgley might be a school to avoid![/q1]
[q1]> |[/q1]
[q1]> | Well, I for one stand corrected![/q1]
[q1]> |[/q1]
[q1]> | Suggest letter of complaint / astonishment / indignation to chair of guvs (get home address to[/q1]
[q1]> | avoid interception); also, Sedgley's LEA; Sedgley local press; TES; her own college / uni's[/q1]
[q1]> | careers officer. If no[/q1]
[q1]> success,[/q1]
[q1]> | write to Sec of State, copy your MP, asking whether they truly want to encourage youngsters to[/q1]
[q1]> | go into teaching.[/q1]
[q1]> |[/q1]
[q1]> | Less abrasive, she could write to HT suggesting they must have made a mistake, and would s/he[/q1]
[q1]> | care to reconsider.[/q1]
[q1]> |[/q1]
[q1]> | Also ask why they are "unable" - they are either bankrupt or lying. Both would make front page[/q1]
[q1]> | of the nationals. "Unable" does not mean "not prepared to".[/q1]
[q1]> |[/q1]
[q1]> | Do hope she gets a good job at a respectable and honourable school v.[/q1]
[q1]> soon.[/q1]
[q1]> |[/q1]
[q1]> | Keep us posted![/q1]
[q1]> |[/q1]
[q1]> |[/q1]
[q1]> | --[/q1]
[q1]> | Martin[/q1]
[q1]> |[/q1]
[q1]> | (remove barrier to reply)[/q1]
[q1]>[/q1]
[q1]> I have never heard of expenses being offered for a school interview.[/q1]

You must lead a very sheltered existence then. Its normal practice to offer at least basic travel
expenses. Afterall, the school have invited someone to come to them to settle an issue costing 10s
of K per year. To refuse basic travel is petty. Maybe the candidates should now get it in writing
before going for interview that expenses will be paid.

[q1]> Common practice in business where candidates don't usually get paid by their current employer for[/q1]
[q1]> taking a day off to go to a 'competitor' for an interview,[/q1]

Business procuedures are different and so the above is a red herring. Usual practicein education is
to pay basic expenses. Not mandatory but if the employer is a cheapskate avoid them.

but 'most' applicants for school jobs have been given the
[q1]> day off from their current (school) job on full pay - fair recompense, methinks, for the expenses[/q1]
[q1]> incurred.[/q1]

Market forces will probably show that the situation is otherwise.

[q1]> Students - well that may be different, but most banks are happy to increase an overdraft to help[/q1]
[q1]> out with this sort of expenditure. :smile:

[/q1]

When it comes to the bottom line, schools that behave badly will end up getting no job applicants.
Its not like there was a glut of maths teachers queuing up for jobs. The best will choose decent
employers.

Regards,

--
IanL

Reply 6

Unregistered

Tameside Emerald CSC wrote in message
<[email protected]>...
[q1]>[/q1]

[q1]>[/q1]
[q1]>I have never heard of expenses being offered for a school interview.[/q1]
Common
[q1]>practice in business where candidates don't usually get paid by their current employer for taking a[/q1]
[q1]>day off to go to a 'competitor' for an interview, but 'most' applicants for school jobs have been[/q1]
[q1]>given the day[/q1]
off
[q1]>from their current (school) job on full pay - fair recompense, methinks,[/q1]
for
[q1]>the expenses incurred.[/q1]
[q1]>[/q1]
[q1]>Students - well that may be different, but most banks are happy to increase an overdraft to help[/q1]
[q1]>out with this sort of expenditure. :smile:

[/q1]
[q1]>[/q1]
[q1]>Willie.[/q1]
[q1]>[/q1]
[q1]>[/q1]
Is it your intention to seem like an obnoxious twat ? If it is, you are succeeding admirably.

StJohn

Reply 7

Unregistered

On Sun, 26 May 2002 00:07:44 +0100, Kathy McIntosh wrote:

[q1]> In article <[email protected]>, Tameside Emerald CSC[/q1]
[q1]> <[email protected]> writes[/q1]
[q2]>>I have never heard of expenses being offered for a school interview.[/q2]
[q1]>[/q1]
[q1]> That's interesting. I've *always* been paid expenses for attending an interview, and when I was[/q1]
[q1]> interviewed for my current post, that included two nights B&B in a hotel, and two main meals as[/q1]
[q1]> well as travel expenses.[/q1]
[q1]>[/q1]

Yes, interview expenses are the norm. The "never heard of" just shows how being ingrained in a
parochial monocolture and broadcasting it across the internet is a demonstration of the ill-informed
trying to be clever.

Regards,

--
IanL

Reply 8

Unregistered

[q1]>You're not Ian St.John are you? I really like him.[/q1]
[q1]>[/q1]

No, neither am I the Lord StJohn of Fawsley!

Singe

Reply 9

Unregistered

On Sat, 25 May 2002 00:18:41 +0100, Tameside Emerald CSC wrote:

[q1]> "Ian" <[email protected]> wrote in message news :tongue:

[email protected]... |[/q1]
[q1]> On Fri, 24 May 2002 22:47:40 +0100, Tameside Emerald CSC wrote:[/q1]
[q1]>[/q1]
[q1]> | >[/q1]
[q1]> | > I have never heard of expenses being offered for a school interview.[/q1]
[q1]> |[/q1]
[q1]> | You must lead a very sheltered existence then. Its normal practice to offer at least basic[/q1]
[q1]> | travel expenses. Afterall, the school have[/q1]
[q1]> invited | someone to come to them to settle an issue costing 10s of K per year. To | refuse basic[/q1]
[q1]> travel is petty. Maybe the candidates should now get it in | writing before going for interview[/q1]
[q1]> that expenses will be paid.[/q1]
[q1]>[/q1]
[q1]> I have had a very sheltered existence. We've only employed 3 new teachers in all the time I've[/q1]
[q1]> been at this school (11 years!!) - none have been given expenses. I went for 3 interviews from[/q1]
[q1]> college and was never asked if I had expenses.[/q1]
[q1]>[/q1]
[q1]>[/q1]
[q1]> | When it comes to the bottom line, schools that behave badly will end[/q1]
[q1]> up | getting no job applicants. Its not like there was a glut of maths | teachers queuing up for[/q1]
[q1]> jobs. The best will choose decent employers.[/q1]
[q1]>[/q1]
[q1]> As if candidates vet schools on expense payments![/q1]

Sensible candidates will check before going for interview, particularly if they are in high demand
subjects. If you want not to be sensible, its up to you.

Regards,

--
IanL

Reply 10

Unregistered

On Sun, 26 May 2002 01:55:29 +0100, Tameside Emerald CSC wrote:

[q1]> "Ian" <[email protected]> wrote in message news :tongue:

[email protected]... |[/q1]
[q1]> On Sun, 26 May 2002 00:07:44 +0100, Kathy McIntosh wrote: | | > In article[/q1]
[q1]> <[email protected]>, Tameside Emerald CSC | > <[email protected]> writes[/q1]
[q1]> | >>I have never heard of expenses being offered for a school interview.[/q1]
[q1]> | >[/q1]
[q1]> | > That's interesting. I've *always* been paid expenses for attending[/q1]
[q1]> an | > interview, and when I was interviewed for my current post, that included | > two nights B&B[/q1]
[q1]> in a hotel, and two main meals as well as travel | > expenses.[/q1]
[q1]> | >[/q1]
[q1]> |[/q1]
[q1]> | Yes, interview expenses are the norm. The "never heard of" just shows[/q1]
[q1]> how | being ingrained in a parochial monocolture and broadcasting it across the | internet is a[/q1]
[q1]> demonstration of the ill-informed trying to be clever. |[/q1]
[q1]> | Regards,[/q1]
[q1]>[/q1]
[q1]>[/q1]
[q1]> What's a monocolture?[/q1]

Try looking it up on Google or another search engine. Spelling monoculture if you want to
be pedantic.

Regards,

--
Ianl

Reply 11

Unregistered

[q1]>Your evidence please (include URLs or publication references), for asserting that offering expenses[/q1]
[q1]>is the 'norm'.[/q1]
[q1]>[/q1]
[q1]>John[/q1]
[q1]>[/q1]
[q1]>[/q1]
Your evidence please (include URLs or publication references), for disagreeing that offering
expenses is the 'norm'.

Martin Nicholson, Daventry, UK

International Astronomical Union's Minor Planet Centre - Observatory Code 456
http://www.gcse-ict.info/astronomy/front.htm

Reply 12

Unregistered

Martin...I am a teacher but at present in FE...and at NO stage have I been reimbursed for interview
costs. Where I am from originally, Australia, it was not even a consideration to be reimbursed
unless you were long term unemployed!! You were expected to turn up to the interview and hope you
got the job! I have had a few interviews in my day as a teacher also. Although ever only had the one
job in this country.

We live in a society where telecommunications are used widely...teleconferencing will eventually
repalce the old fashioned face toface anyhow.

Incidently a colleague of mine from Oz just had a successful interview for a teaching position in
Reading....we could argue then logically that he get reimbursed, but I would kick off as my taxes
were paying for it! He flew from Oz for it and will return in Sept to start..

There is no such thing as a free lunch in this world.....good luck to your daughter, but I have
never heard of expenses being 'common practice' unless you claim mileage as an employee or other
expenses related to your work.

gm "Martin Nicholson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
[q2]> >I have never heard of expenses being offered for a school interview.[/q2]
[q1]>[/q1]
[q1]> Strange since it is a common practice - particularly when the interview is being held over[/q1]
[q1]> two days.[/q1]
[q1]>[/q1]
[q1]> Perhaps you never get called for any interviews![/q1]
[q1]>[/q1]
[q1]> Martin Nicholson, Daventry, UK[/q1]
[q1]>[/q1]
[q1]> International Astronomical Union's Minor Planet Centre - Observatory Code[/q1]
456
[q1]> http://www.gcse-ict.info/astronomy/front.htm[/q1]

Reply 13

Unregistered

"Ian" <[email protected]> wrote in message news :tongue:

[email protected]...
[q1]> On Sun, 26 May 2002 00:07:44 +0100, Kathy McIntosh wrote:[/q1]
[q1]>[/q1]
[q2]> > In article <[email protected]>, Tameside Emerald CSC <[email protected]>[/q2]
[q2]> > writes[/q2]
[q2]> >>I have never heard of expenses being offered for a school interview.[/q2]
[q2]> >[/q2]
[q2]> > That's interesting. I've *always* been paid expenses for attending an interview, and when I was[/q2]
[q2]> > interviewed for my current post, that included two nights B&B in a hotel, and two main meals as[/q2]
[q2]> > well as travel expenses.[/q2]
[q2]> >[/q2]
[q1]>[/q1]
[q1]> Yes, interview expenses are the norm. The "never heard of" just shows how being ingrained in a[/q1]
[q1]> parochial monocolture and broadcasting it across the internet is a demonstration of the[/q1]
[q1]> ill-informed trying to be clever.[/q1]
[q1]>[/q1]

Oh god, I'm a parochial monoculturist and I'm about to broadcast it across the internet.

Your evidence please (include URLs or publication references), for asserting that offering expenses
is the 'norm'.

John

Reply 14

Unregistered

In article <[email protected]>, John Griffiths
<[email protected]> writes
[q1]>[/q1]
[q1]>"Ian" <[email protected]> wrote in message news :tongue:

[email protected]...[/q1]
[q2]>> On Sun, 26 May 2002 00:07:44 +0100, Kathy McIntosh wrote:[/q2]
[q2]>>[/q2]
[q2]>> > In article <[email protected]>, Tameside Emerald CSC <[email protected]>[/q2]
[q2]>> > writes[/q2]
[q2]>> >>I have never heard of expenses being offered for a school interview.[/q2]
[q2]>> >[/q2]
[q2]>> > That's interesting. I've *always* been paid expenses for attending an interview, and when I was[/q2]
[q2]>> > interviewed for my current post, that included two nights B&B in a hotel, and two main meals as[/q2]
[q2]>> > well as travel expenses.[/q2]
[q2]>> >[/q2]
[q2]>>[/q2]
[q2]>> Yes, interview expenses are the norm. The "never heard of" just shows how being ingrained in a[/q2]
[q2]>> parochial monocolture and broadcasting it across the internet is a demonstration of the[/q2]
[q2]>> ill-informed trying to be clever.[/q2]
[q2]>>[/q2]
[q1]>[/q1]
[q1]>Oh god, I'm a parochial monoculturist and I'm about to broadcast it across the internet.[/q1]
[q1]>[/q1]
[q1]>Your evidence please (include URLs or publication references), for asserting that offering expenses[/q1]
[q1]>is the 'norm'.[/q1]
[q1]>[/q1]
Well, I haven't still got them, because the schools kept them, but at every interview I have ever
been to, the school secretary handed me an expenses claim form on arrival. They all vary, and some
schools [LEAs?] are more generous then others, but there was no quibble - you attend for interview,
you got your expenses back. Some schools don't pay until your first pay check if you're appointed
and accept. I suppose that's in case you don't turn up for the job after all.
--
Kathy There is nothing more dangerous than a man with an idea.

Reply 15

Unregistered

On Sun, 26 May 2002 17:29:49 +0100, John Griffiths wrote:

[q1]> "Ian" <[email protected]> wrote in message news :tongue:

[email protected]...[/q1]
[q2]>> On Sun, 26 May 2002 00:07:44 +0100, Kathy McIntosh wrote:[/q2]
[q2]>>[/q2]
[q2]>> > In article <[email protected]>, Tameside Emerald CSC <[email protected]>[/q2]
[q2]>> > writes[/q2]
[q2]>> >>I have never heard of expenses being offered for a school interview.[/q2]
[q2]>> >[/q2]
[q2]>> > That's interesting. I've *always* been paid expenses for attending an interview, and when I was[/q2]
[q2]>> > interviewed for my current post, that included two nights B&B in a hotel, and two main meals as[/q2]
[q2]>> > well as travel expenses.[/q2]
[q2]>> >[/q2]
[q2]>> >[/q2]
[q2]>> Yes, interview expenses are the norm. The "never heard of" just shows how being ingrained in a[/q2]
[q2]>> parochial monocolture and broadcasting it across the internet is a demonstration of the[/q2]
[q2]>> ill-informed trying to be clever.[/q2]
[q2]>>[/q2]
[q2]>>[/q2]
[q1]> Oh god, I'm a parochial monoculturist and I'm about to broadcast it across the internet.[/q1]

That's your right on usenet ;-)

[q1]> Your evidence please (include URLs or publication references), for asserting that offering[/q1]
[q1]> expenses is the 'norm'.[/q1]

My evidence is simply that I have interviewed lots of teachers for lots of schools all over the
country.and I can't recall a single time when the school didn't pay travel expenses to the
candidates. Most recently a few months ago in Kent. I have been a candidate myself in many
interviews over the last 20 odd years and I haven't ever not been paid travel expenses. Empirical
evidence and seems likely to be a fairly representative sample. Of course it might not be policy in
a particular school or even local region or it might just be that the schools I tend to work with
are more generous than most but given the number that would seem unlikely.

Now what is your evidence that offering expenses is unusual?

Regards,

--
IanL