Re: tutor absenteeism

[jhyman@american.edu]

cabrown@utarlg.uta.edu wrote:
> 
> I've just been reviewing the past semester and getting ready to compile
> stats in order to write my end-of-semester report.  I noticed that most
> of the tutors (we have 17 undergrad tutors and 5 grad tutors in our
> center) missed, on an average, 4-6 days during the semester (illness,
> family emergencies, finals, etc).  At least once a month we have a staffing
> crisis because several people choose the same day to call in sick.  I'm
> wondering if I am too easygoing on this issue.  I'd be very interested in
> knowing if other directors run into the same problem and what they do
> about it.
> 
> P.S.  This is a wonderful list and I have learned more than I could
> measure from your conversations.  I apologize for being primarily a
> lurker.  I suffer from acute list shyness.
> 
> Cheryl Brown
> Writing Center Director
> University of Texas at Arlington


Cheryl--

Reading your question reminded me of how lucky I've been on this score.
That said, we still have our share of car breakdowns and burst
appendices (the anatomical kind).  I come on strong at the beginning of
the semester about the distinction between the tutoring obligation and,
say, the obligation of attending a class.  (Of course, I tell my classes
a different story.)  Tutors know that they need to contact a colleague
for pinch hitting duties whenever it's possible to do so.  When that
doesn't work, I cut deals with other tutors: work two hours for your
colleague today and I'll give you 3 or 4 hours off next week--that sort
of thing.

Meanwhile, one crisis per month sounds like a fairly low average; you're
probably already doing all the right things.

John Hyman
The Writing Center
American University
jhyman@american.edu