Sacked - well contract not renewed

alice's_mum

Have you replied to your appraisal in writing?

as I said Above

Nothing was written in the appraisal - he had no notes nor did he make any, he just talked off the top of his head. In my opinion it wasn't an appraisal it was a "let the head listen to his own voice activity

and I have had nothing from him, except a letter dated that day telling me the contract would not be renewed, but he never gave any reasons, he actually says thanks for the support you have given the school and wishes me well for the future.

This is why I think I need to write to the Governors because they won't know about this and I am 110% positive he will lie and say I have decided to move on coz I want a higher grade..... he actually used that in the "appraisal" he asked me "What do you want from this? I can see you taking on more responsibility than you can here and doing it well!"

Hanxx

You may find that writing to the governors is part of the appeal process anyway. If so, make sure that you head the letter up 'Appeal against dismissal' or something similar.

alice's_mum

You may find that writing to the governors is part of the appeal process anyway. If so, make sure that you head the letter up 'Appeal against dismissal' or something similar.

Thanks Hanxx, obviously ACAS is shut now, so will ring Monday morning. D'you think I should change the letter I've put on above in any way, apart from giving it a title to say I am appealing. Should I then get on to HR at the LEA, to start off the grievance procuedure thing or should I wait and see what I get from the Gov's.

Sorry to keep asking silly questions, but my head is in a spin again now coz I thought I could only write to the Govs just to make it formal, that I have been pushed and have not jumped. The Union guy was so dismissive that there was anything else I could do and now people are telling me I have a way of complaining.

I'm a bit blown away by all the support and help from you MSE'rs. Thanks very much:A :T

Hanxx

Hi Alice's Mum,

No problem, glad to be able to help.

I have had a look at the draft letter that you posted (in the green font). There is no set way to write these types of letters, but personally I do not think that you should be submissive in your approach.

Normally an appeal would be made to the person above the individual that made the original decision - this, presumably is the board of governors. Once you have been served notice (it should have been done in writing) you can then take up this right of appeal and put in your letter.

You can only go on what you have been told so far. Concentrate on the reasons why you are being let go and explain why you feel that this is unfair. Ask the board of governors to reconsider. State that you have taken some specialist/legal advice and that you have been advised to pursue this as the way that it has been done is unfair. Yes, Acas is now closed for the w/end, but the Helpline will be open from 8am on Monday. In the meantime have a look at the following links:

http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1108

http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1110

http://www.dti.gov.uk/employment/employment-legislation/employment-guidance/page18282.html

Sorry if this is too much info. I wish you the best of luck.

Hanxx

Claudie

I think Hanxx has given you some excellent advice. Go through the channels and good luck.

Bossyboots

The penny has finally dropped and I now know why I didn't have full editing functions.

I will be back on later with the amendments to your letter.

Bossyboots

As I can't get in the bathroom I have done it now. This might still need amending depending on what you actually want to do but this is how I would sent it.

I refer [STRIKE]Further [/STRIKE]to the letter I received from Mr (A.HOLE the head) dated 15th November. (copy attached) and also my “appraisal”.

I was surprised at the contents of the letter and also the content of the appraisal. I am disappointed that it is felt I have failed in my role as Admin Assistant at the school and that you feel that to renew my contract would not be in the best interests of the school. I was saddened to learn from Mr A.HOLE that members of staff and parents alike dislike approaching the school office when I am present and have actively avoided me. I was also saddened to hear that several staff feel that I am rude to them and disrespect them. This has not been apparent to me in respect of either staff or parents and I cannot recall any time when this has been the case. If something I have done has upset a member of staff, then I can only apologise but it would have been courtesy and surely in the interests of good working relations, for the issue to have been raised and dealt with.


During my time in post I have had no formal warnings or indeed any formal discussion with my superiors on this issue. I feel it is very unfortunate that no such action was taken, which may have allowed any concerns to have been resolved without it being thought necessary for me to leave the school.

I feel that my time at ******** has been positive and that I have at all times had the best interests of the school at heart.

I will continue in the next few weeks to provide a professional service to all who call at ******** Primary be it on the phone or in person as I have done since January. I am sad to be leaving a post that I have very much enjoyed.

I would welcome the chance to discuss this matter with you face to face as soon as possible. I should therefore be grateful if you would contact me to arrange a time and place for us to meet.

alice's_mum

Thanks Bossyboots. My only problem is that I never got an appraisal, no paper work, nothing, he just sat and spouted this heresay at me that

"people are encouraged to come and tell me if they have problems with other members of staff" That's exactly what he said. Am planning on phoning ACAS at 8am and have had an email of the Council UNISON rep who will be intouch at work tomorrow. So based on what they both say, will send some sort of letter, saying I am appealing the decision to termintate the contract.

Thanks for all your help with the letter, its great.

L

Bossyboots

Okay, I have amended it again in relation to the appraisal. See if that is any better.

I refer [strike]Further[/strike]to the letter I received from Mr (A.HOLE the head) dated 15th November. (copy attached) and also my meeting with him which was deemed to be a job appraisal. However, the formal appraisal procedures were not followed.

I was surprised at the contents of the letter and also the content of the meeting.

roxy7699

I just want to add my full support, I think all the advise offered is great and would also phrase the same way as bossyboots, and follow through all the channels of hanxx, even if you do want to walk away in the end.

Good luck