Should I Work on Anzac Day Saturday? (Private Music Teaching)

Embaloo on 21/04/2015 - 20:15
Last edited 21/04/2015 - 20:15

So I only teach one day an week (Saturdays), and am considering whether or not to work this coming Saturday (the first Saturday back teaching for Term 2. It is ANZAC Day.

I am unsure, as I would like to be respectful, but I'm not sure if it's disrespectful, what are your thoughts?

I have a feeling some kids may be participating in community parades or services, which may dwindle numbers if I do go ahead and teach.

I am not relying solely on my earnings from teaching (thankfully), so I'm not too worried about the money side of things.

Other details:

  • I see my students individually with their families (13 students)
  • I do worry a little about my students that are super keen and committed to lessons, as to whether they would feel like they are missing out on some valuable lesson time.
  • I teach from my home, so not a public place.
  • I'll be ringing them tomorrow after I've decided.

I'm interested in your thoughts, I'm not sure what is the norm.

Education & Work

Comments

  • scrimshaw on 21/04/2015 - 20:18
    +5

    Huh? Anzac Day is a day of remembrance, not an extra day off work. I work on public holidays (but thats mostly because I get paid three times as much). If the kids are commited & want to learn even on a public holiday, then that's good for you.. more money.

    Since you're self employed, you set the rules… there's nobody to stop you from working if you don't want to. Except your wife maybe.

    • Embaloo on 21/04/2015 - 20:30

      Thanks for the thoughts.

  • indium on 21/04/2015 - 20:28
    +2

    I don't think other people will see it as disrespectful if you have work commitments on ANZAC day. If you personally find it disrespectful though or would like a day for remembrance I'm sure the families would understand if you do not wish to work.

    • scrimshaw on 21/04/2015 - 20:41
      +3

      I also think what the OP is concerned about is what the parents will think — if they see that the teacher is calling the students to come to class on what is potentially a day reserved for remembrance or family outing to an Anzac event, he might be perceived negatively by the kid's parents for being culturally insensitive.

      I don't think this will be an issue so long as you call them in advance and ask if they still want to come, if they have no plans to go out that day.

      • Embaloo on 21/04/2015 - 21:48

        Pretty much yeah.
        Thanks scrimshaw, I think I'll give them the option, and as djones suggested, offer afternoon lessons.

  • derweep on 21/04/2015 - 20:50
    +3

    Why disrespectful?, if you're teaching and the kids willing, you're doing a service as well to them. Why is working on Anzac Day being disrespectful?, as long as you remember and value the life of the soldiers that helped in defending freedom and democracy I don't see any problem at all. I'm also working on Saturday providing a service to the public to get to the dawn service, meaning I have to start extremely early, I see it as not disrespectful at all..

    • Embaloo on 21/04/2015 - 21:51

      Yeh cool thanks derweep. Yeh it's true it is doing a service. Mmmm, I suppose it's not an essential service, but still one. I may offer it but later on, I think. all the best with your work :)

  • djones145 on 21/04/2015 - 20:56
    +1

    You could consider doing lessons after one, most shopping centres have to close in the morning and open in the afternoon (westfields open at 1 on Anzac day)

    • Embaloo on 21/04/2015 - 21:47
      +1

      That's a great idea. Thanks djones.

  • donga100 on 21/04/2015 - 21:11
    +4

    Lesson for the day could be the Last Post?

  • fruit on 21/04/2015 - 21:26
    +1

    Do whatever you want.

  • Logical on 21/04/2015 - 23:34

    a minutes silence on the day will show respect for the fallen…. after that you should be quite ok to teach a very respectful subject

  • SlartiBartFozz on 22/04/2015 - 10:03

    I don't think it's disrespectful — the last Anzac died over a decade ago, there are none left now. Unless you think the Anzacs are all floating in the clouds playing golden harps, and watching all of us to make sure we don't work on the 25th of April — but somehow even if they were I don't think they would collectively shed a single tear over it.

    Anzac day is not a day to celebrate the fallen, but to remember how pointless wars are and how many millions of military and civilian lives are wasted for nothing — you don't need to take a day off to remember that.

  • backpaqer on 22/04/2015 - 10:14

    Bugle teacher?

  • grabngo on 22/04/2015 - 10:18

    Man,I wish I could work on Anzac day and earn 3 x pay !!!
    Nothing to think about.
    Take the coin and run

  • momov3 on 22/04/2015 - 18:09
    +1

    Pretty much your students' response about whether they want a lesson or not should help you decide. If majority say no, then perhaps you could take day off and do the dawn service march like all of us! If most say yes, then the popular vote wins and you teach.

  • YankeeGirl on 23/04/2015 - 07:31
    +1

    Check the link provided of the rules of trading on ANZAC Day. It's pretty straightforward.
    https://www.business.qld.gov.au/business/running/hours-opera…
    Work is work wether you are self-employed or employed by someone else.
    The best guide is you can open after 1pm if you wish.
    My personal opinion is not to work on ANZAC unless you are employed by a business that is legally allowed to open.
    If, as you say, you are not to worried about the money side of things then it should be an easy answer.
    Close for the day, attend an ANZAC Service and spend the rest of the day being thankful that you can do just that.
    Whilst I am an American by birth I am an Australian by choice and fiercely proud to be one.

    • twocsies on 23/04/2016 - 19:44
      +1

      ANZAC day isn't Saturday, it's Monday! No reason to take the day off…

      • [Deactivated] on 23/04/2016 - 21:14
        +2

        This post was created around this time last year. Anzac Day fell on a Saturday last year and jumped to a Monday this year due to the Leap year.

      • TheOneWhoKnocks on 27/04/2016 - 21:42
        -1

        Why did you comment on a year old thread? Lol

        • twocsies on 27/04/2016 - 21:44
          +1

          Mistake… landed on that page but didn't notice the date!

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