Resign or get sacked? my chioce!

stevepal

Ok then. this is a strange one I know, but I'm really after some advice here if anyone can help me.

I work (worked?) in a school for EBD kids, and six months ago the mum of one of the kids in my care made an allegation of grooming against me. As you can imagine this was devastating for me and my friends and family, who have all stuck by me throughout. I was suspended without predudice, and the school were incredibly supportive as well, but it was out of thier hands. Eventually I was interviewd by the police (5 hours!!) in the presence of my union provided lawyer. This was 2 months after the allagetion. There now has to be an internel investigation, as ordered by the local authority, even though its a private school. Fair enough. The bottom line is, because I , like other staff, use facebook to contact the kids sometimes, in order to keep them coming to school, the rules have been broken and that's that. I accept that, however horrible it may be, and I've done nothing illegal or imoral (you''ll have to take my word for that i suppose). My union are 100% certain I'll be sacked, but want me to resign before then to save me hassle. If i resign I get no benefits, only a bit less hassle, but the union are adamant. Can anyone help with similar tales?
Any advice would be appreciated.

jacques_chirac

You are likely to be sanctioned whether you resign or get dismissed. Given the implications this could have on future employment I would be seeking legal advice (outside the union).

ohreally

stevepal wrote: »

My union are 100% certain I'll be sacked

What are the union basing this on?

What is the weight of evidence against you - facebook postings?

Do you hold professional registration?

Ronaldo_Mconaldo

So you're male and the students were female. Come on, pal. Use your head. Me wife's a teacher and stays well clear of any school kids on Facebook in case anyone says anything. What were you thinking?

wiogs

Are you saying that you would be sacked because of the way you used Facebook?

You mention that others do this as well will this lead to a spate of sackings?

I'm not convinced here that the Union Rep is not just after a quiet life.

I would not resign.

stevepal

Well thanks everyone. Ronaldo, your spot on, what was I thinking? Basically there are facebook printouts of the chat, nothing salicious, nothing abusive or even remotely dirty, but the rules are the rules, and just because the school has a culture of, shall we say, relaxed attitudes doesn't mean I'm right. I'm fully prepared for any sanctions after the investigation next week.
Wiogs I think you could also be right, in that my union rep doesn't want to be involved. In fact after a meeting with him yesterday he's offered to try to delay any disciplinary hearing if I cry sickness, but resign just before a discipinary! He wants an answer asap. I see where he's coming from, its a new headteacher, new regime, and fair enough. I've just got to look after myself now, and any other staff goings on are all hearsay on my behalf, no evidence because it's what we all did. I might just agree with him, then change my mind and go to the disciplinary, what can he do, sack me from his union?! It's all about money now, dole or reputation?

stevepal

Well thanks everyone. Ronaldo, your spot on, what was I thinking? Basically there are facebook printouts of the chat, nothing salicious, nothing abusive or even remotely dirty, but the rules are the rules, and just because the school has a culture of, shall we say, relaxed attitudes doesn't mean I'm right. I'm fully prepared for any sanctions after the investigation next week.
Wiogs I think you could also be right, in that my union rep doesn't want to be involved. In fact after a meeting with him yesterday he's offered to try to delay any disciplinary hearing if I cry sickness, but resign just before a discipinary! He wants an answer asap. I see where he's coming from, its a new headteacher, new regime, and fair enough. I've just got to look after myself now, and any other staff goings on are all hearsay on my behalf, no evidence because it's what we all did. I might just agree with him, then change my mind and go to the disciplinary, what can he do, sack me from his union?! It's all about money now, dole or reputation?

Poppie68

If other teachers are using facebook for the same thing, are they also facing disciplinarys? If not why not, is it because you were the only one with a complaint against you?

alwaysonthego_2

Did you use your personal facebook account or a school one? I use facebook a lot to contact teenage service users as they are more likely to respond to it. However, I use my workplace's facebook page so I am accountable at all times. I can see how a child's mother could get upset with you contacting her child with your personal facebook account and you have left yourself wide open to accusations. Do you have legal help with you household insurance, might be worth a try but I am in no doubt that you will be sacked.

scheming_gypsy

If you just resign will it still stay on your record, or is he trying to get a trade off where a reference won't state that you left whilst under investigation

Dimey

I think the Union rep advice sounds suspect. In your position you need a professional employment law solicitor. This could affect your future career prospects, you've got to handle this carefully.

Personally I wouldn't resign. Its going to be on your record whether you resign or are sacked. I would fight for a fair hearing, formal warning and acceptance of a sincere apology with promise to behave professionally according to the rules in future.

If the hearing decides to sack you, you need the solicitor to negotiate what the official reason will be and what your reference will say.

I would not go sick or do anything more unprofessional. The only thing you could do is to ask for a postponement while you consult a solicitor. Meanwhile do your job properly so the new head can see you have potential.