Resign or get sacked? my chioce!

AMILLIONDOLLARS

I agree with everyone else. Regardless of what you previously agreed with the Union Rep, DO NOT RESIGN.

It's all very well for the Rep, he walks away from the situation, you don't get to be so lucky, this will be with you for the rest of your life. Fight your corner to the very end. You pay your fees to the Union they should now uphold their end of your contract to defend you to the best of their abilities.

Bottom line, it's your reputation, if you don't defend it, who will? Besides 5 years from now you may look back in regret that you did not have the guts to face up to the situation you created.

AMD

eamon

Exactly. Just to echo what Marybelle and others have said. Don't resign. Fight your corner. If what you say is true then this is your only chance to get it on record. Your police investigation is on record and will follow you to and beyond your grave. You need this to counterbalance.

makeyourdaddyproud

It's a dreadful state of affairs that we are now in a country with staff losing their jobs because their forced to use a website created an American snotty nosed kid still in nappies.

Way to much Americanism here.

lulu650

stevepal wrote: »

......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....

With respect steve, none of us have sight of all the paperwork involved. Unions have access to solicitors so I'm not sure what advantage there is in consulting a private solicitor.

Has your union made it clear what the advantage is in resigning? A previous poster has mentioned the reference. What do the union think it would state?

They should still be supporting you at a disciplinary if you decide not to resign. You need to ask if you're not sure.

This is clearly Gross Misconduct as your paperwork will state. Your union should be showing you the Guidance for Safer Working Practice for Adults who work with Children and Young People in Education Settings and showing you why you are likely to be dismissed.

stevepal

Thanks again everyone, your support has been great, and very reassuring.
I've spoken to my doctor, he's adamant that I'm not in the right frame of mind to attend a hearing, and has issued a note to that effect. I'm also getting a meeting with mental health nurse (arranged by occupational health services) soon. The last six months of putting on a brave face has been hard, and I'm crumbling a bit now. I've told the union this, and we've got the disciplinary meeting postponed for a couple of weeks. As I've said all along, my foolishness in letting this situation happen is all my fault, and I accept that, but I can look in the mirror (and the eyes of my family) and KNOW all I did was try my best for someone. That's over now, we move on, and a new phase beckons.
BUT...back to the union. I've just had an email from them, saying they've asked for the postponement, and basically demanding that I send a copy of my resignation letter to them ASAP in preparation!! I'll take my time replying, need to get my head round it all. Does anyone have a clue what the union will gain from this, except maybe saving time and effort? Is this how they operate nowadays? It's a teaching union and I'm only (!) a teaching assistant, a fact my rep was somewhat dismissive of when we met.

jacques_chirac

Please get some legal advice from outside the union. It is quite clear they do not have your interests at heart.

dshart

I would also advise that you seek independent legal advice. Do a search for employment solicitors in your area, some may do a free initial consultation or at very least give you a fixed charge consultation. If nothing else it will give you a second opinion regarding your options.

[Deleted User]

stevepal wrote: »

back to the union. I've just had an email from them, saying they've asked for the postponement, and basically demanding that I send a copy of my resignation letter to them ASAP in preparation!! I'll take my time replying, need to get my head round it all. Does anyone have a clue what the union will gain from this, except maybe saving time and effort? Is this how they operate nowadays? It's a teaching union and I'm only (!) a teaching assistant, a fact my rep was somewhat dismissive of when we met.

Ask them. You have nothing to lose, explain to them (via email) that you're not entirely confident that resigning is the best course of action and that from what you understand the consequences of a resignation are worse for you than being sacked. Ask them to explain exactly why you should resign instead of being sacked. If they don't give a satisfactory answer you know exactly where you stand, no need to guess!

dandelionclock30

I'm pretty sure they will want you to resign because its less work for them basically and less chance you will try to go for a tribunal etc.
If I were in your shoes, (which I have been and I was sacked), I would go and pay to see an Employment solicitor. If nothing elce they will be able to advise you independently and you will also know that you have done the best you can for yourself. You wont be saying I wish I had got more advise if you have done.
The school will probably have indicated very strongly to your union rep that you will be sacked if you dont resign.
What you have done is a dismisable offence and I personally cant see them giving you a final written warning. Even if they did thats no walk in the park either as you will be watched like a hawk and as soon as you make a little mistake they will sack you for that.
Even if you do resign, if you go for any jobs in this sector again, they will say why you resigned in your reference as it will if your sacked. They have to write about any concerns now where children are involved. Its also highly likley you will get a ban, which will come up on your DBS.
I think whether you are sacked or resign, your looking at a job in a different sector which considering all the hassell you have had will probably be a good thing for you in the long run. I'm sorry you have to go through all this, its really horrible and everyone makes stupid mistakes in life.

AMILLIONDOLLARS

Resigned or Sacked, the end result will be the same, you without a job. This looks like levels of degrees, how bad one is against the other.

You have asked yourself this question, will it look better on my CV if I put resigned, the obvious answer is certainly Yes, but to what degree?

Next, the question at any interview will be Why did you resign? What explanation will you give that will justify your actions?

Next question might be why did you not defend yourself instead of resigning? Obvious answer I was told to by the Union Rep because.....

Sacking scenario brings up exactly the same set of questions, only in the last question, you made the decision yourself.

It looks like your career in Education is over. Maybe you should concentrate on the next phase of your life, we never know what is around, whatever comes your way think of it as a blessing in disguise, at the very least the relief of letting go of this stressful situation will be some compensation of a kind. Wishing you all the best for the New Year and your new life.

Life is too short to say if only... Do whatever you think is best for YOU and go with it, deep down you already know the answer.

AMD