sensitive issue in the workplace

paulineb_2

I do know what its like in the workplace where you dont have a strong line manager. And I could share a story about something that happened to a family member of mine that almost ruined their life in the workplace due to an ineffective (at best) line manager, sometimes people in positions of power really should not be there. Im actually amazed, given that someone is working with young kids that they havent been sent home in that condition, its negligence. I cant see any other way around this than you making your complaints formal, you've tried every other way and no one is doing anything.

I would certainly be raising it to the effect that if a child gets injured it could and would probably be litigation time and all over the press. I think the police would be powerless to act unless something happened to a staff member or a child

Theres a zero tolerance policy on alcohol and drug use in many jobs, also the school should be trying to get this woman help, she clearly needs it.
She should be suspended on full pay if necessary until shes fit to come into school

Are you in a union, can you raise it with them? Or the GTC?

phill99

If you are not getting support from your Headteacher, you need to put your concerns in writing to her asking her for a written reponse and at the same time COPY the head of School Governors. It is teh School Governors that can take the head to task.

The head wont thank you for it, but it will get results.

Remember: evil things happen because good people stand back and let it happen.

hartcjhart

fluffy*giraffe* wrote: »

i just wish there was a simple answer! there are people who work with her every day that i am sure don't know so getting a parent to notice may be difficult, i dont know any that well to just come out and say it lol.

i could write an anonymous letter to the governers i suppose but would they take it seriously???

no you must make it a formal complaint,in writing to the head and the board of governors,if the head is not taking action then she is breaking health and safety laws not only to the children but you and the other person involved,
if anything happened to a child you would also be implicated

Funky_Bold_Ribena

fluffy*giraffe* wrote: »

i can probably handle all she throws at me it's the children, they are 4 and 5 year olds. swearing in front of them and falling about is not good, can't be to specific about what she has done on here but it's just a matter of time before something goes horribly wrong and i can't watch her and 30 kids at the same time let alone teach them anything!

my line manager reported her last week and the head just shrugged it off.

What does your line manager think of the head shrugging it off?

If it were me I'd be putting a report in at the end of each day detailing all incidents to my line manager and saying that they and the head have one week in which to address this serious breach of protocol; or I will be putting reports in to Ofsted, the Board of Governors and the council.

dacouch

Caroline_a wrote: »

Most employer liability is null and void if a person is drunk. This means that by keeping this woman on the premises, your employer is I think technically breaking the law. Perhaps a letter stating your grievance and mentioning this point to the school governors might help?

Where did you get this from?

Employers Liability is a legal requirement and as such is governed by statute. It's not possible for an Insurer to decline claims for being drunk.

GrannyKate

This is a very serious issue and I agree with others that you must act. In fact, assuming you are a teacher, your own contract will set out very clearly your own personal responsibilities in safeguarding issues and not following these could lead to disciplinary action against yourself. To echo other posters you should write formally to the Headteacher and the Chair of the Governors expressing your concerns making your points about what has been happening as objectively as possible. By all means express concern as well for the health and safety of the person who needs help but make it clear that there have been incidents which make you concerned that the children are not safe. In the event of the teacher falling over or swearing at children you may have no option but to take all the children out of the classroom into a neighbouring class or the school hall and advice the senior person on duty that x appears to be unwell.

The children's safeguarding lead for your area can be contacted if the Governors do not act - likely to be local authority - just google it. Again, it would be worth contacting your professional body or union for advice and support. Do not try to involve the parents directly as that will almost certainly cause you more trouble personally.

ValHaller

GrannyKate wrote: »

In the event of the teacher falling over or swearing at children you may have no option but to take all the children out of the classroom into a neighbouring class or the school hall and advice the senior person on duty that x appears to be unwell.

I would agree with this. OP, you know the events which have happened. Just think through them, set a threshold in your own mind as to where you would take this action and work out your plan for moving the children.

Hopefully, your concerns arising from recent events are formally recorded.

tonyh66

Im just a bit confused, do all the other people she works with not notice she is drunk?

fluffy*giraffe*

thanks for all the great replies, as to if the others notice, yes some have but are afraid to speak out as in the past i know they have been told to "mind their own business" or "we know".

seems like they just want to cover it up, its the strangest situation i have ever been in and if i ever mention it to anyone i will be breaching staff confidentiality!

this i was told the last time i was hauled in to see the head and sworn the secrecy after being told she thought i was victimising her and she was backed up by a very weak line manager who is so wet you could hang her out to dry lol.

Funky_Bold_Ribena

What does YOUR line manager think about the head shrugging it off? To be honest, between the two of you you need to decide on where to take this. You can't ignore it.