Sackable offence?

FluffyFiFi

As a Governor at a school we do not have any rules regarding socialising, in fact we try to encourage it as it makes for a better working relationship. However, as anyone who works with children is aware there are very strong guidelines regarding confidentiality, therefore if you were to socialise with colleagues and discuss work issues that should be confidential then you employer would have grounds for disiplinary action. If you are employed for more than 12 months you are entitled to be given a fair and just reason if you are dismissed. Anyone working in this country is covered by our anti-discrimination laws as soon as their employment starts - and this is actually at the offer of employment. After two years you are entitled to redundancy so there are laws that will cover your employment whether you have it written down or not.

Barneysmom

I would have thought it would be better to socialise, that way you might find out something untoward if it were to happen?
Socialising also helps teamwork........

ailuro2

There have been instances in my place of work where a little fracas on a night out ended up with the people involved being brought before the manager for disciplinary action, any social gathering that is organised because the people know each other through work is liable to the same scrutiny.

If it had been an amateur footall team socialising it would be different, it's because you know each other via workplace.;)

mikey72

FluffyFiFi wrote: »

As a Governor at a school we do not have any rules regarding socialising, in fact we try to encourage it as it makes for a better working relationship. However, as anyone who works with children is aware there are very strong guidelines regarding confidentiality, therefore if you were to socialise with colleagues and discuss work issues that should be confidential then you employer would have grounds for disiplinary action. If you are employed for more than 12 months you are entitled to be given a fair and just reason if you are dismissed. Anyone working in this country is covered by our anti-discrimination laws as soon as their employment starts - and this is actually at the offer of employment. After two years you are entitled to redundancy so there are laws that will cover your employment whether you have it written down or not.

You may not have any guidelines regarding socialising, but if you want to employ a teacher registered with the gtc, they must

"Maintain reasonable standards in their own
behaviour that enable them to maintain an effective
learning environment and also to uphold public trust
and confidence in the profession."

Unless you're a private employer the teachers are contracted to the LEA, not the school, and there is enough red tape between them and the NUT to cover anything and everything there. (And the gtc on top of that)
And as alot of the child protection is enshrined in law as well, there is all the legislation to include.

stup1973

lynzpower wrote: »

I really dont think a employer has any right whatsoever to tell you what you can and cant do outside your employed times.

None at all!

If it was a function that was booked under the name of the persons employer then i believe that they can be disciplined as per companies policy.

Whereas if the same people went out with no named employer ie just mates going a night out then no discipline can be put used on anyone.

ceridwen

skibadee wrote: »

No Trade Union...small privately owned nursery.
Could be a reaction to '' that horrendous case ''......but surely better to discuss concerns with employees??? [ if there are any ]

Actually asked boss for one to one meeting with her when she returns from her hols .....this was regarding another matter....she wasn't very happy about this request and attempted to talk about matter on phone instead of face to face as requested.

This latest comment re socialising has not actually been officially told to employees....she just told/discussed it with deputy manager...who happened to mention it to another employee.

Unless you have been told something personally - then ignore it - you've not actually been told yourself directly. Ignore gossip. Direct instructions are all that count - the rest is just someone's opinion and filtered through the fact that very few people report accurately exactly what someone else has said to them.

AnxiousMum

A headteacher at a local high school was using Facebook. She went out for a night with friends and had a few drinks. Friends of hers (not her though!) made reference to the night out on her facebook page, uploaded pics where the HT was drinking, and a few of her friends swore on the HT's facebook page. Yes, the HT should possibly have made her Facebook page private, BUT.......some students/students parents came across the postings - reported her, and she was dismissed as HT of the school. She is now back at the school due to total uproar, as a head of college. Was this fair? I don't think so.......of course if students and students parents weren't prying into the personal life of a Headteacher, noone would ever have known that she does have a personal life and likes to go out and enjoy herself once in a while.