sensitive issue in the workplace

paulineb_2

Ive worked in jobs where if I turned up to work looking like (not even if I were) under the influence of alcohol Id be sent home on the spot and suspended until an investigation is done.

My view is, you dont need a catalogue of evidence. If the head was doing her job properly, one hint of someone being in the school under the influence of alcohol, they'd be sent home there and then.
And yes I do know that some medications can make people seem as if they are drunk when they arent, but after all that has been ruled out. Turn up to work drunk, home. And stay at home until the matter has been investigated.

Youve raised it with senior staff, theyve chosen to ignore it. Going back to what I said earlier about the social work department. If you make a complaint, anonymously about kids being at risk due to someone being drunk or appearing drunk in the workplace, I believe they would have to act.

Btw, Ive known grievances in school settings to be dealt with a year after they were lodged. Its not good practice but there are very ineffective headteachers (and their superiors) out there.

Id also be contacting my union and if need be, refusing to work with this woman for my own safetys sake until she sobers up.
Shes putting you, the kids and herself at risk and by doing nothing about this, your line manager is being in my view negligent.

Also, are there any other senior teachers you can raise this with apart from the head?

paulineb_2

You need to raise this matter with the union, next week and the GTC, give them a log of all incidents and let them know how youve been treated in the past for reporting this and the abuse you've had to put up with from this woman when shes drunk.

And things might get a bit hot for you for a while, but anything is better than carrying on like this, because it doesnt look like the school is going to do anything about it.

lulu650

paulineb wrote: »

....Also, are there any other senior teachers you can raise this with apart from the head?

The Head runs the school. If an employee needs to be suspended, disciplined or go through capability then the Head does that in consultation with the governors.

There is no GTC now and, in any case, teaching assistants have never had anything to do with the GTC

paulineb_2

Id still be raising it with the union. Different in Scotland obviously, there is still a GTC and we dont have boards of governors but nevertheless, Id be onto the union sharpish. Or Id be looking for another job, easier said than done in these economic times, but I assume and Im saying assume, that the school should have a policy on alcohol and drugs in the workplace

The head isnt running the school very effectively if shes allowing someone to come into work every day drunk

And when I said raise something with the GTC, not knowing that there isnt one in England, I meant for the teacher and the conditions shes working in, not the teaching assistant

ellies_angel

You have a duty of care to these children (as does the Head Teacher). I would speak to your union and get guidance from them, contact the GTC see what they say.

lulu650

paulineb wrote: »

...And when I said raise something with the GTC, not knowing that there isnt one in England, I meant for the teacher and the conditions shes working in, not the teaching assistant

I know I'm repeating myself but they are not teachers. Teaching assistants have nothing to do with the GTC

de_g.

If the child protection and safeguarding person is the head and they won't do anything about it, then I really think you need to take further advice.

One route would be to talk to the school's named governor for Child Protection. They are responsible for overseeing the procedures related to handling allegations against staff - if these are not being followed then there is an issue which needs addressing more widely.

Importantly though, DO NOT discuss this person's drinking with colleagues or friends. By taking it to the head and/or designated teacher and the name governor, you've gone as far as you can. Remember that the head also has a duty of care to staff; by discussing what is clearly a personal issue for this person more widely you may make it difficult for the head to observe and take proper action.

If you are concerned and feel that the head and governors are not taking concerns seriously, then do get in touch with your LEA for advice, or alternatively your Union will probably be able to provide some sound guidance.

(I'm currently vice chair of governors at a local primary; it's looking like the school may well have to push our chair into resigning for pretty much the same reason. I'm more than a little bit nervous about the implications of doing so, not least because I've got a huge learning curve if I'm going to have to step up to chair, even until the AGM in Sept!)

Fire_Fox

Are you formally reporting, ie. in writing and this is being ignored?

Bennifred

de_g. wrote: »

If the child protection and safeguarding person is the head and they won't do anything about it, then I really think you need to take further advice.

One route would be to talk to the school's named governor for Child Protection. They are responsible for overseeing the procedures related to handling allegations against staff - if these are not being followed then there is an issue which needs addressing more widely.

Importantly though, DO NOT discuss this person's drinking with colleagues or friends. By taking it to the head and/or designated teacher and the name governor, you've gone as far as you can. Remember that the head also has a duty of care to staff; by discussing what is clearly a personal issue for this person more widely you may make it difficult for the head to observe and take proper action.

If you are concerned and feel that the head and governors are not taking concerns seriously, then do get in touch with your LEA for advice, or alternatively your Union will probably be able to provide some sound guidance.

............

^^^^^^ This is what you should do.
I would write to the Headteacher with your concerns and copy in the Governor with responsibility for Safeguarding and also the Chair of the Board of Governors.

I think the Head sounds like just as much a liability as the TA.:mad:

fluffy*giraffe*

a big thank you to everyone for the replies, lots of good replies.

we are back in work tomorrow so we will see how it goes, we are having to go off site tomorrow and if she shows any signs of being "ill" i am going to refuse to go. i cant be responsible for her and children, to be honest i have been dreading going back

thanks again to everyone x