Per diem service

There are different categories of substitute teaching service. Depending on the assignment the substitute is hired for, the pay, entitlement to benefits, and paid time off varies.

See the current DOE per diem payroll calendar »

The categories of service paid on the per diem payroll include:

Day-to-Day Substitutes “O-Status” (Occasional per diem)

Description: A teacher is assigned on a day-by-day, as-needed basis to cover for an absent teacher. These teachers are covered by the day-to-day substitute teacher contract.

Payment: Occasional per diems are paid at a fixed daily rate for each day of service. Current rates can be found on the per diem salary schedule. 

Long-term per diem “Z-Status” (Other-Than-Occasional)

Description: An occasional per diem teacher who covers the same absent teacher for a minimum of 30 consecutive days, without being absent themselves, becomes a Z-status per diem. These teachers are covered by the UFT-DOE teacher contract. Note that 30 consecutive days of per diem (occasional) sub service in one school is not sufficient to attain Z-Status.

Payment: Z-status per diems are paid 1/200th of the regular teacher salary (differentials and steps up to 4A are included, where applicable) for each day worked. Once an occasional sub meets the Z-status criteria, the higher pay rate will be retroactive to the first day of the assignment.

Sick leave: Sick leave is credited at the rate of one day for each calendar month of employment (so long as the calendar month includes 20 workdays, inclusive of holidays).

Please note: Substitute teachers who use an earned CAR day must submit doctor’s note (medically certified absence) or the absence will cause a break in service and reversion to the per diem rate of pay.

Vacation Pay: Z-status substitute teachers earn three days of vacation pay after 60 days of service and earn an additional day of vacation pay for each 20 days served thereafter, up to a maximum of nine days of vacation pay. Vacation pay is payable upon completion of the substitute service.

The change from occasional per diem to Z-status should occur automatically if the timekeeping is entered correctly at the school and all of the following conditions are met:

• You are covering for the program of the same absent teacher for a minimum of 30 consecutive school days.
• You are not absent within the first 30 days of the consecutive service.

Please contact the UFT if you meet all of the conditions above and your rate of pay did not change.

Regularly Scheduled Part-Time “F-Status”

Description: F-status is regularly scheduled, part-time service. Service can be less than five days per week of full day work or up to five days a week of less than full day work. F-status positions are typically posted within a school.

Payment: F-status teachers are paid 1/200th of regular teacher salary (differentials and steps up to 4A are included, where applicable) for each day worked.

Vacation Pay: F-status teachers earn three days of vacation pay after 60 days of service and earn an additional day of vacation pay for each 20 days served thereafter up to a maximum of nine days of vacation pay. Vacation pay is payable upon completion of the substitute service.

Sick leave: Only teachers working regularly scheduled, part-time positions of 4.5 days or more days per week accrue sick leave. Eligible employees accrue sick leave at the rate of one day per month.

Health & UFT Welfare Fund benefits: Employees working regularly scheduled, part-time positions of at least half of the weekly hours of the title are entitled to benefits. For example, a teacher in a F-status position must be regularly scheduled for at least half of the work week for teachers to be eligible for benefits.

Full-Term Regular Substitute “Q-Status”

Description: Full-term regular substitutes, commonly referred to as “regular subs”, are non-appointed teachers who are employed on a full-term basis in one school, covering one assignment. The DOE has issued guidance to schools and field offices so that occasional per-diem substitutes can be transferred to the Q-Bank when appropriate.

The most common reasons why a teacher would serve as a regular sub during the year are:

• They are covering for a teacher who is on a leave of absence for all or part of the school year but must be out through the end of the school year.
• The school has a vacancy and has not yet appointed a teacher to fill that vacancy.
• They are currently enrolled in an alternative Certification Pathway Program (such as NYC Teaching Fellows, NYC Teaching Collaborative, Teach for America, etc.) and working towards their NYSED teacher certification. Teachers who complete these programs are eligible to be appointed to a regular teaching position once they complete the requirements to obtain a Transitional B Certificate from the NY State Education Department.

There are two types of Full-Term Regular Substitutes:

• 5BA - FT Regular Sub: These regular subs are fully staffed and given their full-term assignment within the first 15 days of the school year. Salary is established per their collective bargaining agreement, up to step 4A including differentials. 5BA Subs are eligible for longevity, seniority, and probation credits upon appointment to a full-time teaching position.
• 5BP - FT Regular Sub Treated as Per Diem: These regular subs are staffed or given their full-term assignment after the first 15 days of the school year. Salary is established per their collective bargaining agreement, up to step 4A including differentials. Per Diem service is creditable towards a salary step: for every block of 85 days worked per term, one term of credit will be awarded towards your salary step.

Payment: Full-term regular substitutes are part of the same payroll bank (Q-742) as appointed pedagogues. Salary is established by their collective bargaining agreement, up to step 4A including differentials. See the teacher salary schedule for more details. 

Sick Leave: Cumulative Absence Reserve (CAR) days at the rate of ten days per year, or one day accrued each month. Please note: Regular substitutes are not entitled to borrow CAR days or use grace periods. Regular substitutes are eligible for health benefits from the NYC DOE, as long as they meet all of the eligibility requirements.

Vacation Pay: 

• Regular subs who are given their assignments in the first 15 days and work the entire school year will receive full vacation pay.
• Regular substitutes who are given their assignment after the start of the school year or do not work the entire school year will receive prorated vacation pay.

Please note: Prorated vacation pay does not diminish the teacher’s entitlement to any other benefits including health insurance and welfare coverage during the summer months

Health & UFT Welfare Fund Benefits: Regular substitutes are eligible for health benefits from the NYC DOE.

A per diem substitute who is covering a long-term vacant position (either a leave that will last until the end of the school year, or a clear vacancy) for 2 or more consecutive months and has not been staffed to payroll as a 5BA or a 5BP as outlined above may be eligible to file a grievance. Members should complete a salary inquiry form or contact the UFT.