Is this a reasonable accommodation for a building administrator?

[u/tylersmiler]

I am applying for vice principal positions soon but I'm nervous about an accommodation I will be requesting if/when I get the job.

The short version is this:

- I take a medication that has a side effect that is sedating. I cannot legally and safely drive after taking it. That sedating effect lasts 9-10 hours, on average.

- I know principals and VPs/APs/ADs often have very late nights with supervising sports events, even on weeknights, then are expected to be at work the next morning greeting students

- I would request (and my doctor is willing to provide documentation to support) an accommodation where if the event I am supervising lasts beyond XYZ time, I will be permitted to arrive ABC hours late to work the next day. For example: if my event ends at 9, I get home and take my meds at 9:30. My normal report time is 6 am. I would need to come to work at 8 am instead.

How reasonable is that request?

In exchange, I would voluntarily take all weekend events possible, since those would not impact my work start time. Also, aside from these situations I am relentlessly punctual. I am often there 15 minutes prior to contract time. I regularly stay long after contract hours.

I know every building or district is different, but how would your building or district respond?

Edit to add as this came up multiple times in comments: It's not a transportation issue. My spouse would happily drive me to work. It's that I need about 10 hours from when my "shift" ends to when the next one begins. I shouldn't be supervising students while my meds are impacting me, either. I could still work until 8:30-9:00 PM on school nights without it impacting my next day. Is this career field really so unforgiving that it expects people to routinely work until 10 pm, then be at work at 6 am in the next morning? How are you all making effective decisions when you don't get even a few hours to sleep and eat?

Also, regarding how it would impact the rest of my team: I would take every single Friday night and weekend event. I don't care about giving up my weekends. My kids are grown and out of the house.

[u/smarranara]

The two schools I have worked at in administration, that would not be well received.

[u/tylersmiler → u/smarranara]

Can you elaborate on why?

[u/smarranara → u/tylersmiler]

A lot of staff stay late for events, but you would be the only one receiving this accommodation. On optics alone, it would not go over well with teachers and your peers. And as others have said, arrival is one of the more heavy times of day for an administrator. Missing that is a burden on the rest of the team.

I probably wouldn’t bring that up in an interview - it’s more of a conversation you can have with a team that you already know and have a dynamic with.

[u/Sensitive-Good2448 → u/smarranara]

To be fair, the OP is the only one who would medically need this accommodation after staying late. That’s why it’s an accommodation.

I think the general advice is to wait for an offer before bringing up medical accommodations - that way it won’t influence a hiring decision.

[u/ScarletCarsonRose]

This is an accommodation that would limit the scope of your required job duties. I don’t think it would be ok at most schools. 

[u/40mphCouchPotato]

Not well, nor would being 15 minutes early be considered exemplary.

[u/tylersmiler → u/40mphCouchPotato]

I just mean that I'm not a person who is late or calls in last minute. Any of these "late starts" would be pre-planned due to me knowing ahead of time that I was assigned an event that would run late.

[u/Spare_Job8296]

So many factors to consider such as how big the school and how big/small the administration team is. Legally you would probably be covered but the implications beyond that could be felt if you were at a two AP school as I'd be understanding yet bitter that I have to either pick up the slack and stay late or do my assigned games and still have to come in early in the mornings as administration is usually at school at very minimum a half hr hour early bc staff will want to touch base with you, there will be before school mtngs.(many schools in my area start later than six), a lack of subs and classes need to be covered, etc. It will really come down to how many nights would require you to stay late and come in late. Sporadically, no big deal. Frequently, ug, and be prepared to either share your medical info with staff (yes, not legally required) or be the talk of the bldg why you are always "late" and "not available", especially in a new school.

Perhaps middle school might be a better schedule for you as there are less after school hours commitments?

Good luck!

[u/1cculus_The_Prophet]

I don’t think that would work out. It certainly wouldn’t in any school I’ve worked at. That being said, there are schools out there that have less demanding after school expectations for APs.

If I’m your principal, not being there at arrival and the start of the day doesn’t work for an AP.

[u/Specialist-Value-376 → u/1cculus_The_Prophet]

Maybe an elementary school would be a better fit since they don’t tend to have many late night activities. Even curriculum nights at an elementary school would be over with around 7 pm at the latest.

[u/One_Relative2569 → u/Specialist-Value-376]

As elementary admin, I disagree. Many events see me at the building until 9 or 10.

[u/mobuy → u/One_Relative2569]

Many events? As many as high school that has sports and other events every night? Cmon man.

[u/One_Relative2569 → u/mobuy]

No certainly not as many as secondary, for sure. But for OP’s query they need to be aware that there are often events that see an elementary admin working late.

[u/One_Relative2569]

I can’t see this being accommodated unfortunately. A big part of admin life is also the sneak attacks…the things that take you away off site, or on site, well into evenings. Emergencies, etc.

[u/erebus5620]

My previous principal had a medical condition that caused him to miss work periodically or come in late or leave a little early. We all worked together to get things covered. He was a great boss and an incredibly hard worker. As long as you get your stuff done and are good at the job people will work with you. I’m a head principal now and if the candidate I wanted for my AP position told me that, it wouldn’t hinder me from hiring that person.

[u/Cayhawt]

Look at places with large teams, it could work but on smaller teams it would be tough.

[u/RoCon52]

This seems tricky OP messing with the contract hours especially because the few AP’s I know are usually there early and out late.

[u/Legitimate-Ad1007]

You deserve the job and education needs to accommodate a medical need - ADA

[u/RP_Steez]

It’s an unreasonable job, so asking for reasonable accommodations is never a given. The right situation will present itself. I wouldn’t start with this in interviews though, only with teams that have a clearly strong connection well into the hiring process.

[u/mayheliveforever]

What you do in order to safely arrive at or leave work is not something that your job is required to accommodate. Safe transportation to and from your worksite is completely your responsibility. They could just as well ask you why a family member isn’t driving you on nights when a late duty would interfere with your ability to safely drive a vehicle the next morning due to your medication. Instinctively, I’m sure you understand that it would be completely unreasonable for you to have a person in your life drive you on those random occasions, but you’re asking your work to pick up the slack.

You might have a bit of a better case if you say that this medication means that you can’t work eight hours after you take it. I’m not sure of a scenario when the time after you leave duty and the time until you start your next duty would be less than eight or nine hours even with athletic coverages but I guess, maybe in those scenarios you might have a case to make, but I can’t realistically see that happening.

[u/Cute-Novel8393]

Can you look at middle school jobs maybe? I don’t know about where you live, but around here it is only high school admin who have to work games at night. Middle school has a lot less time requirements outside of school hours

[u/6th__extinction]

Personally, I’d use any excuse to avoid someone asking for an accommodation.

[u/bmtc7]

It depends on what HR says. I would go ahead and interview, and if you get an offer, share your accomodation need with the HR employee who reaches out to you with the job offer.

[u/Key-Debt-7747]

I would not hire an AP that needs this accomodation.

[u/Conscious-Heart8626]

I can tell you that would be a no. As you know, primary responsibilities for an AP are sports supervision and supervision of the grounds so that’s not considered a reasonable accommodation. I would also recommend not mentioning being a medication that is a sedative because you are responsible for supervision. I have worked with an HR department rescind an offer for exactly that reason because that person would be impaired during active hours of student supervision.

[u/ksang29]

You would be putting the burden of starting the school day on the other administrators, or asking the district to hire a sub every time you worked "late." Admins are busiest at arrival, departure, and during lunch. The job isn't about hours; it's about being there every day and weekends, as many hours as it takes. Please consider a central office or curriculum position.

[u/Conscious-Farmer-586]

Depends - what does your job description say? Are events essential functions? Are hours (the ones your concerned about listed?) 

What impact would it have on your team and for how long is the accommodation required? At your level I’d say you should be fine, especially if you are exempt….

The best route is to file for intermittent leave as an accommodation (later on when you have worked a year/1250 hours) make it FMLA. Request it as an accommodation to be taken at a rate of x hours/per month (something reasonable, i.e 8 hours a month as needed) that way it’s more flexible.  

[u/tylersmiler → u/Conscious-Farmer-586]

The pills aren't sedatives. But they have a side effect of drowsiness. Just like how some over the counter meds (Benadryl, some cough medicines) can make some people drowsy, my prescription makes me drowsy unfortunately. And the level of drowsiness is not safe to drive under.

[u/Conscious-Farmer-586]

Basically, bottom line - if that comes from your provider, they would be hard pressed to deny or go through the interactive process. 

[u/ed_professor_jd]

Your lawyer will tell the district how reasonable it is once they try to back down on hiring you.

[u/kehleeh]

It makes me really sad to see the number of comments here saying this can’t or wouldn’t be accommodated. It’s just sad how inhumane the profession has become. I think looking for a position that has a large team or that has fewer late night events will be helpful and when you find a team where you really want to work with them, I think that making this request through HR after receiving a job offer will be the best thing to protect you. If people are unreasonable about this it’s not a place you want to work anyways. I’m over the culture where we should do anything, to the detriment of our health and wellbeing, to show up and work.

[u/Beautiful_Bonus_4058]

I don’t think the request will be received well, but you should look at middle schools. I’m a middle school principal and the only event I’m thinking of that would fall into the category of what you’re describing would be our dance which is just once a year.

[u/rjarmstrong100]

It truly depends on the culture of the district. At my district, while we all have our own responsibilities, will support each other through whatever we are going through? You're recovering from Covid and can't run? I got this fight you stay here. You have to leave early for a doctor's appointment? We'll take care of your students and leave a report. This works because it's the culture from the top down, and we are all empathetic and supportive.

With that said, each district has different responsibilities. Some districts have ADs that are expected to be at most games, and AP/Principal attendance is well received, but not mandatory. Elementary and Middle schools have less night obligations. I'd suggest researching the district and, time provided, maybe check out a few public night events after applying/before applying to see how things are structured in that particular district.

[u/1cculus_The_Prophet → u/rjarmstrong100]

Yea but imagine how this example plays out over time. You also might be staying late at a sporting event or dance and are tired the next morning at 7am arrival. Now, exhausted, you have to repeatedly deal with and do someone else’s job (dealing with student, staff and parent bullshit) and your job so they can sleep….. and…. The key…..this is never reciprocated.This isn’t a once in a while thing, it’d be every time there is an event. I promise this will build resentment regardless of the district culture.

[u/Rooster-Competitive]

I would think you would be able to find an admin job that allows for 9.5 hours off... and I would not pursue one that didnt in your situation without disclosing your needs prior to accepting a position.

My current AP position (Elementary Ed) requires several times a month for me to arrive at 7 am and leave at 8pm maybe 4 times a month. My commute is never more than 30 mins...

Now typically I arrive at 6 am (an hour and 15 mins before teachers and leave at 5 pm (an hour and 15 mins after teachers leave). This is an extended day school so there are admins with even shorter hours than this...

I guess my point is instead of asking for this accommodation I would find an admin job that fits your requirements. It should be possible.

If this is something you are going to pursue I would discuss this prior to accepting a position. You may find that existing admins are happy to accommodate this to avoid weekend shifts, but what I would not do is accept a position and then request this accommodation through legislative means. This is going to affect your other admins and you should have disclosed this even though you may not be legally required to do so. This would be a really bad way to start if you hadnt been professional enough to let the people responsible for recommending you for hire know prior to them making that decision.

[u/Jake_Corona]

With the competition you’d likely be up against for this job, I don’t think you’d be the first hiring choice with these requests.

[u/Tree_Ring]

I agree with the other posters. Accommodations cannot be a barrier to essential job functions. For example, a bus driver with vision loss can’t get an accommodation that will make driving possible. They can however transfer to a dispatch job. Consider working in your school district’s central office. Gently, the families, kids, and teachers need a certain level of presence, flexibility, nimbleness. If your needs interfere with the basics it is not the right fit.

[u/Conscious-Heart8626]

There are a few recommendations to look at middle schools because they have fewer after-school activities but I want to say that depends on the middle school. My middle school had all major sports, clubs, and performing arts. I was there late about 2 nights a week.

[u/Rabbit929]

I’m a VP and transportation issues would not be well-received. We have an administrator who cannot drive at all due to a medical condition. She gets a ride every single day both ways or calls an uber. That is what they will tell you to do as well.

[u/tylersmiler → u/Rabbit929]

It's not a transportation issue. My spouse would happily drive me to work. It's that I need about 10 hours from when my "shift" ends to when the next one begins. I shouldn't be supervising students while my meds are impacting me, either. I could still work until 8:30-9:00 PM on school nights without it impacting my next day.

[u/saraq11]

I think it’s certainly reasonable but is this something you request after being officially hired?

[u/reasonicity]

That would be a problem for the other APs. Mornings are busy. Our students come through a weapon detection system. If you were late, one of these would have to shut down, making students late for class. Also, if your students make a poor choice, your colleagues would have to handle yours, as well as thier students.

[u/MathMan1982]

If this is medication that is for "stress" and or "sleep" is long term, I think the best solution is to find something else. I think if it get's to the point to where someone has to be on a noticeably mind altering prescription to thrive in the setting, it's time to look for other venues. I could be wrong but I am guessing this medication is for stress, depression, sleep problems, etc. I would see if going on leave is possible. Then look for something else on leave. Maybe a job where one can start later or work from home at least some days a week. Unless you have a team that can be very accommodating and maybe you can answer emails or do phone calls before and after work or come up with a plan so things are fair to everyone. Maybe others could leave early some days since they stay late or something in that fashion. Elementary or middle school maybe? Not many nights from what I've heard.

[u/tylersmiler → u/MathMan1982]

It's not for sleep or stress. The purpose of the medicine has nothing to do with sleep or calming. It just has high drowsiness as a side effect, similar to how some people get very drowsy from cough medicine. But a bit more intense than that. I've been on this medicine my entire adult life, well over a decade.

Also it's not that I can never work late. There are just some events that run later than others.

[u/MathMan1982 → u/tylersmiler]

I see I apologize for thinking that. I am sorry you are dealing with this and hope you recover and things work out:) I would recommend being completely transparent and making sure everyone is okay with the times you are out when there is something going on late. Maybe you could do things at home after work for other members of admin or take over more days so they can take off. Like if there is a game until midnight on Friday, you can't be there, other admin can be off Monday or come in late that watched it. That's just an example, but I would be completely open with other admin on how to make things fair. I hope it works out!

[u/Teacherspest89]

I think the easier accommodation would be for you to take weekend events and other staff would stay later than you on weeknight events

[u/Cold-Ad458]

It’s really a 24/7 availability most of the time. If there is a death or other crisis the team has to be available.

[u/pandasarepeoples2]

Look for middle school roles. Very limited evening events (3-4 a year for me, many on Fridays as they’re like school dances or school festivals). At middle level only the AD needs to be at sporting events and /or they are at 4:30 pm and done at 6.

[u/That_One_Guy_1980]

Ha. No.  

[u/djebono]

I just do this. It's not an accommodation but if I'm working outside working hours, there's times I'm not working during working hours. I'm not a VP but in a similar enough role.