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Child Item

Teacher bullying

mtoutlemonde

Hi folks, looking for advice from posters here.

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.

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paddybarry

Bring it to the BOM and/or initiate complaints procedure against Principal.

Treppen

If they're blocking the door that's just weird. I would definitely be having my phone at hand and recording unknown to the principal. Following on from recording their behaviour pattern I would be telling the principal that if it's a one to one conversation then I'm pressing the record button.

If a student is giving me grief I start to write down what to say as they're talking. Then repeat back to them what they said nice and slow. Then ask would they be happy to sign their name to it. If not then the only logic is that they need to reconsider their actions. Do the same with this person.

Union / Legal advice asap is a must. If union no good then get legal advice privately. Go with a timeline of events/conversations to save time.

spurious

The second someone is called into a meeting with a Principal where they believe (or are made aware) it is possibly a disciplinary issue, they should stop the meeting and say they will only resume with a witness.

The Principal is being very stupid not having a witness him/herself for a disciplinary matter. He/she hasn't a leg to stand on.

I really hate that some types like that make it to Principal.

mtoutlemonde

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121886968#Comment_121886968

A witness attended.

When you mention leg to stand for, how can a teacher prove that? And where do you go?

In the school involved - no one else applied.

spurious

Sadly, that's usually how these types get into positions of power.

By not having a leg to stand on, I mean all the Principals are advised to never have disciplinary meetings without a witness for themselves and advising the other person involved to also have a witness. It just keeps everything above board. Minutes should also be kept.

Of course if the Principal is, let's say 'dodgy' and prone to say or do things they should not, then of course they don't want witnesses.

I would escalate it as soon as possible to Stage Two at least, if not Stage Three - sorry I come from an ETB background, I don't know if the same terms are used in other sectors.

Stage Two in an ETB would involve the local union and Stage Three would involve the next level up, the local union Branch Committee reps meeting with the reps of the ETB, or probably Board of Managemnt in a non-ETB school.

Was the witness for the Principal or the teacher? Was the teacher advised they could have someone there if they wanted?

TheValeyard

Principals behaviour is raising red flags. I'd definitely contacting either Union rep or legal specialist. Document everything. Nothing is insignificant.

mtoutlemonde

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121889789#Comment_121889789

Both parties had witnesses. The problem exists that the teacher attended without knowledge of why they were attending and no natural justice.

mtoutlemonde

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121889825#Comment_121889825

The situation has become really difficult. Teacher taking record of all interactions.

spurious

It sounds like a terrible situation, which of course does not just affect the person directly involved, but the whole staff who could be next on the hit list.

I agree with documenting everything. Timetables, any sort of rotas, every meeting or comment.

mtoutlemonde

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121891430#Comment_121891430

I've been teaching for some time. I have experienced many forms of management good and bad. I have never experienced such a power seeking individual. The advice I've received is attend a meeting and clear my name (it doesn't need clearing). The principals approach has changed and principal seems to be back tracking as there are emails now. I intend on leaving .... but not quietly, the behaviour is unaaceptable and if I saw it in the yard, I would call it out. Reading teachers voice on Facebook and there seems to be management that are alike mine. It's shocking that they can get away with this unprofessional, bullying behaviour. Thank you for your advice.

Treppen

Maybe seek out any other teachers who might have had similar interactions (resigned/moved schools). Typically these people have prior form, and rely on their victims staying quiet.

Crakepottle?

Check out Voice for Teachers. You are not alone. Document and record everything. If you are covertly recording on your phone do not tell anybody. However savagely this person is treating you, recording may be a disciplinary issue. This sort of person is ruthless. Be careful.