Teacher bullying

mtoutlemonde

Hi folks, hope I can ask this question here, please delete otherwise.

Can a school principal on receipt of allegations from a student (which is unsigned and probably coerced by principal), without proper investigation, natural justice or fair procedure, call a teacher to the office (without informing teacher of a complaint beforehand), accuse the teacher of bullying, threaten tusla and give the teacher a circular that deals with incompetence. It was expected that the teacher respond there and then without time to examine allegations.

Furthermore, the principal enters the teachers classroom unannounced at times when it is known that the teacher is alone. Tone of voice is aggressive and teacher is not in a position to leave as principal blocks the door. There are never witnesses present. It has happened five times in the past two weeks including lunchtime. The union have advised principal not to approach teacher without a third party being present but principal refuses to do so.

Where does one go? Employment and health and safety legislation is not being adhered to and the teacher feels unsafe. As the principal has been advised not to approach teacher and has refused constitutes bullying as it is a repeated action. This behaviour has been ongoing for the past three years.

Thank you in advance.

Mrs OBumble

Bullying is possibky not the road to go down.

What do the union advise the teacher to do?

mtoutlemonde

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121872204#Comment_121872204

The advice changes every day. Don't attend meetings to do. The last conversation related to the reputation of the principal I kid you not.

Would this be harassment?

Lenar3556

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121872402#Comment_121872402

In an employment situation a manager or school principal doesn’t need to ensure a third party is present in order to approach members of staff. The interaction in the office would appear, from your summation, to have been an informal meeting or reprimand in relation to a complaint received, and not part of any formal disciplinary action. Your reaction to this is possibly a little over the top.

The bar in demonstrating bullying is necessarily high, and there is quite a bit of case law on the matter. The Supreme Court case of Una Ruffley v The Board of Management of St. Anne’s School might be an interesting one to consider.

There is a big difference between robust management and actionable bullying. Employees need to be able to maintain a reasonable degree of resilience.

Mrs OBumble

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121872402#Comment_121872402

Union advice usually only changes if new information comes to light.

Perhaps the teacher needs to take some sick leave to calm down, and some professional advice from a colleague who they respect (obviously not the principal in this case!)

You could consult a lawyer privately, but the teaching unions have lawyers available, who are experienced in the education sector.

mtoutlemonde

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121873138#Comment_121873138

The reaction isn't over the top. This behaviour has been ongoing. The meeting was stage one which is the informal stage. To be accused of bullying, threatened with tusla and given a document relating to incompetency. The agreed procedure is through the pastoral care team i.e., year head who discusses with teacher and students to find a solution and if that is not successful, complaint then goes to principal for investigation (I would hope impartial) but in this case the principal has been judge, jury and executioner.

mtoutlemonde

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121873210#Comment_121873210

It was principals attitude. In previous conversations, principal washostile and aggressive but attitude had changed in last call.

With relation to legal advice from union - there is a lengthy application form which then has to be approved by the standing committee and only happens monthly. From what I've been told, it is refused more than paid out. If paid out, an applicant has to apply for funding for each additional meeting/representation they require. Private advice much easier with faster advice.

how was the teacher threatened with Tusla exactly? If they did nothing wrong Tusla would pose no threat but besides that you don’t know what the principal said.

mtoutlemonde

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121873302#Comment_121873302

It was used as a threat because he was wrong as the complaint is coming from a student over 16. Didn't know that at the time.

AndrewJRenko

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121873344#Comment_121873344

Threatened with what? TUSLA don't manage or investigate teachers, they will support children.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121873344#Comment_121873344

But how was it used as a threat exactly is my confusion? Like the principal said what?

just because there’s a fairly significant difference if he said

“Tusla will be/may end up involved if this is true” or something like that over saying

“I’ll ring Tusla and have you stricken from the teachers council register”

like the mention of Tusla could be perceived as a threat even if the principal is just mentioning their potential involvement.

Also how do you know the student was coerced by the principal? That is a significant allegation to make if no evidence to be fair.

Also strange you suggest the principal is popping into the classroom “unannounced” and to highlight “their alone”. I mean first of all when I was in school the principal didn’t book an appointment to see the teachers. He just came in.

As for the mention of witnesses I don’t understand why the principal needs a third party to be in attendance when speaking to a teacher even if about allegations of bullying a student?

Like for me I feel this teacher is being very overtly defensive about something they are so adamant they have not done. If they’re innocent I seriously can’t understand why they are receiving daily updates re advice from their union and take exception to the principal visiting their classroom presumably to discuss the matter in private? Like would they prefer to discuss it in front of their class or other staff?

All seems a bit strange tbh.

Lenar3556

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121873260#Comment_121873260

It’s open to you to make a complaint to the schools board of management in relation to the conduct of principal if you believe this is warranted. However, this action will likely have implications for your future relationship with the principal so it’s not something you should do without careful consideration.

I would suggest firstly taking some time to consider the matter objectively, together with the possible remedies, and also receive independent legal advice.

On the Tusla piece, you will be aware that the principal (along with most other school staff) are mandated persons under legislation and are obliged to report to Tusla, any concern in relation to the welfare of children. It’s a pretty low bar, and I find it difficult to see how this could be held against the principal, unless there are particularly exceptional circumstances involved - which from your comments seems unlikely.