sensitive issue in the workplace

getmore4less

Make sure you have written record you have raised the issue.

IF not when/if the fan hits you risk being the scapegoat.
(head will say we knew nothing and you go as well as this person)

Start a diary, and report all non appropriate behavour, like the swearing and falling over, no need to mention it is drinking related allthough you do need to make sure that your suspitions are noted, the key is not the drink but the resulting behavour/safety related issues.


Get the kids to tell tails at home.

Funky_Bold_Ribena

Are you the TA and she the teacher, or you the teacher and she the TA or are you both teachers - what's the set up?

Can you call the nurse each time she falls over, and report the swears back up the chain rather than the drinking? Or put the fall into the accident book each time.

Sometimes you have to use stealth if people are unable to take responsibility.

fluffy*giraffe*

she is a TA and i am a HLTA so have responsibility for the classes about 40% of the time and she is my support during these times.

we dont have a nurse but that is a very good idea about documenting each time she falls and reporting the behaviour but not mentioning the alcohol. never thought of that.

thanks

my line manager doesnt like conflict of any kind and doesnt do much at all

Funky_Bold_Ribena

I'd perhaps also give the safeguarding people at the local authority a call. What do I do if my head teacher is just brushing this under the carpet? Who can I turn to?

paulineb_2

You could contact the local social work department and say her actions are putting kids at risk.

Caroline_a

I found this which you might like to send to your head or to the Chair of Governors.

dandelionclock30

paulineb wrote: »

You could contact the local social work department and say her actions are putting kids at risk.

Their response would be that you need to tell the safeguarding person.If she is ignoring it then they will tell you to ring the Safeguarding Board.

In my opinion,If you put in a formal complaint and get your union rep to back you and send this to the head and the chair of the board of Governors then they cant possibly ignore you.
They have to abide by the complaints procedure otherwise they can fail Ofstead and get into trouble.Also if something happens they can get sued for negligence.

I hope you get it sorted out OP because its pretty bad and the headteacher should be ashamed of themselves for ignoring it.

piglet25

From a parents point of view, if my child was injured due to this person being under the influence I would hold both responsible. The drinker for drinking, and the other staff member for 'not doing anything' because thats how it would look to a parent, even though you have tried. You need to document everything and go over the head if shes not bothered, because it will be your job on the line and your career in bits if anything happens to a child - good luck xx

mjbmjb

I think that's a very serious issue if someone is under the influence of alcohol whilst in a classroom of small children.

I think that it is your duty to make contact with the governors if the head teacher is turning a blind eye. Put the safety of the kids first.

It's not just the alcoholic that needs sacking, it's the head teacher too.

lulu650

OP, it may be what you are interpreting as the Head brushing things off may be lack of evidence.

All the evidence of your colleague's drinking and the effect this is having in the workplace needs to be documented. Looking at dates/times/colleagues present/comments made etc...

You then go to the Head with this evidence and state that you are raising this informally but if it is not dealt with then you will have no option other than to raise a formal grievance. A formal grievance will be dealt with as per your school's grievance policy for which you need to get a copy of.

This situation isn't as uncommon as some people may think.