Dignity in the workplace

Bobtheman

Hi has anybody here ever made a complaint about a colleague under this policy? Im thinking of doing so.

TheValeyard

Happened in our place. Caused an absolute sh1t storm. You need to be certain of your complaint and willing to possibly loose colleagues.

CreadanLady

In a school, those in power will do everything they can to brush it under the carpet.

If you are determined to drive it through, be prepared to follow up with a claim against the school itself if it has attempted to hush the matter.

Bobtheman

What do you meant hush the matter?

Bobtheman

Did the colleague win the complaint?

The colleague whom I'm thinking of making a formal complaint hasn't spoken to me in years. Pretends I don't exist which will form part of the complaint.

Complaint will focus on their professional behaviour

thefallingman

why complain if they don't talk to you ?

Bobtheman

It's in professional situations they have blanked me. In meetings

JP2000

Is it really worth it? As mentioned above, you could end up damaging/losing relationships with your other colleagues

rainbowtrout

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118575866#Comment_118575866

Is there a specific reason for being blanked? (not expecting an explicit answer on here).

Does this person blank other colleagues or just you?

Have you documented incidences of their behaviour towards you? Dates, times, what happened?

Was there witnesses?

Is this a person you have to work with on a regular basis? i.e. in the same subject department, share a classroom, on committees together, post holder meetings (if you are both post holders)

Have you tried to broach the situation with said colleague, and if so what was the outcome?

Have you brought the issue to management's attention and if so what was the outcome?

Going by the documentation on ASTI website, there's two stages Informal (where you try and do some of the above) and Formal where you put your complaint in writing to the Principal/BOM.

TheValeyard

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118579231#Comment_118579231

This is really good advice above Bob.

As to your previous comment. The complainant 'kinda' won, insofar as another colleague got a formal reprimand from BOM I think or someone anyway. But it cost him staff support which incidentally led to a second complaint by the same staff member leading to a Labour Court mediation, solicitors and unions invovled.

Bobtheman

What ultimately was the outcome of the labour court mediation and why did it go there?

Bobtheman

Bobtheman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118579231#Comment_118579231

Thanks for this.

Icsics

Be careful not to cause more trouble for yourself than this is worth. Why do you care so much if they ignore you, it says more about them than you. Schools are funny places, I have colleagues but few friends there.

CreadanLady

Schools are generally cesspits of bitchery. Everyone as sweet as pie to eachother face to face but they'd all stab each other in the back if they though it could get them the leg up.

TheValeyard

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118580024#Comment_118580024

Not finished yet.....

rainbowtrout

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118580046#Comment_118580046

Probably not so much about caring about them ignoring him, but it can make work life difficult, particularly if they are in the same subject department, share a room etc, and their paths cross regularly.

There are teachers in my school who are not in my subject department, I don't share any rooms with, and don't have any classes off when I have mine off so I never run into them in the staffroom on my free classes. In reality, I haven't seen them in weeks. So if it was a case that they weren't speaking to me, it would be fine for the most part, as our paths don't cross. But if it was someone I run into regularly, it just makes for a lot of tension. You also don't want to be told by the principal that you are being sent on a bus to bring the 5th years to a football match or something and find out that the other teacher that is going is the one that doesn't talk to you. Makes for a very difficult day where you have to try to attempt some conversation just from the point of minding kids etc.

Bobtheman

In the case of meetings is it not right to lodge a complaint if a staff member is unprofessional?

rainbowtrout

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118587769#Comment_118587769

It depends. Is it a staff meeting or a smaller department meeting? Is it just the two of you at the meeting or are there other teachers in attendance?

Working off the assumption that it's a department meeting or similar (i.e. not a staff meeting), then I would be of the opinion that if you address that person directly at the meeting and they don't reply, then I would address them again giving them the chance to respond, and then I would outline the situation aloud (and I would be minuting it there and then). 'I have asked Mr/Ms. X about their opinion of which novels we should do with fifth year English this year. Mr X did not respond, so I asked again. Despite the fact that only two of us were at the meeting, he refused to acknowledge me by responding to me about a department matter, which prevents me from carrying out basic planning for our subject and the year group. etc etc etc

Then take it to management. 'I am requesting assistance to resolve an ongoing issue with Mr. X. The following took place at the English department meeting on X date. I have attempted multiple times to engage with Mr. X on numerous issues pertaining to our department to no avail, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to plan for English due to Mr. X's co-operation. I would appreciate a meeting to come to a resolution.......

Start off with something along those lines with management. Show that you are attempting to engage with this person and they are refusing. Outline how it is making your job difficult on a professional level. State that you want to resolve this and that it may require intervention from management and it is a realistic expectation to be able to fulfill the job requirements as ultimately it's the kids that lose out if lack of communication impacts the work being done.

mary.geary13

Staff rooms are ridiculous, I find my co workers unhelpful

Bobtheman

Im sorry your staff is like that Mary. During covid only a small number went into our staff room.

What are your subjects?

mary.geary13

Languages..

teachinggal123

@Bobtheman I strongly encourage you not to do this ... find a way to live with the colleague instead. I've seen similar situations cause huge, and long-lasting, issues and staff breaking into factions. A lot will also depend on the views and actions of the Principal.

Life is too short ... not worth it ... enjoy the job and the (quickly approaching!!) holidays.

doc_17

Yeah, don’t do it. Just move on. I don’t know why they don’t speak you? Not sure if it was addressed above but maybe they could cause you bother.

Bobtheman

Im leaving it for the moment. Even if they are unprofessional im inclined to leave it unless it gets in my way in a major way.