Contracted hours & wages?
Hi, I am not really sure if this is the right subreddit, but I couldn't find a subreddit for IAs.
I work as an IA in a junior high on the west coast of the US. They put in a rule this year that our contracted hours are now 7:50am to 2:20pm. School starts at 8, and gets out at 2:15. They told us we are not allowed to leave early because they add up and the district ends up giving us "40 free hours" over the course of the school year. However, when we have subs, we have to put in 7:30 to 2:20 (for a full day sub) so the sub gets their information. I typically get to work around 7:30 am because traffic is an absolute nightmare, and it's better to get in earlier. I also usually start helping set up one of the classrooms (which is a full inclusion class) and help with the kids who start arriving around 7:45 (thanks for keeping us understaffed, district!). We also leave early (like, 2:10 instead of 2:15) because traffic is, again, a nightmare. Obviously I don't leave if I'm working with a student, and I don't leave teachers in the lurch.
I guess my question is, should I start putting in my own hours as 7:30 to 2:20? And because it is genuinely impossible to leave the parking lot before 2:40 when you leave at 2:20, should I put my hours as 7:30 to 2:40?
I love working with the kids, I work in all the classrooms (including the full inclusion classes), but I am really irritated by this change. I don't want to lose my job, but I also don't think it's right to keep us trapped in the parking lot for 20 minutes(especially during the upcoming heatwaves). It also means that IAs who work as one on ones in the co-taught classes are sitting around for over 15 minutes after their students leave, which is especially annoying for aides who have kids to pick up.
I am also wondering if it is okay for them to have subs work essentially an extra 20 minutes before the contracted hours for free.
If this is not the right sub, I'm sorry! I'm not really sure where to put it 😅
Thanks for any advice! I am just super irritated (and hot, lol). I know it is dumb to be so upset about leaving slightly later, but it really feels like this is a weird power trip over people who are at the bottom of the food chain, and I am really annoyed.
EDIT: Thanks everyone for all the suggestions and everything! I think I am just really frustrated at my schedule changing after 5 years and I am applying to different schools for my degree and college is expensive, lol. I am working another job, too, so I am just a smidge stressed out and ended up spiraling, I think. I will probably just end up keeping on what I'm doing and talk to someone in admin about the hours to cover my own butt at the very least. I hope y'all have a great school year!