|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 856
|
Hi everyone.
Sorry if this is going to be a rant but I'm livid.
Following the battle I had with the Head a couple of years ago over capability procedures instigated against me, he's trying it on again!
This time it's about frequent short term absence. I was called to his office and presented with a list of my supposed absences dating back to 2009 ( when I was first diagnosed and they were trying to sort out the meds). He claimed there was a 'pattern'. I pointed out that I haven't had any time off with RA this academic year, in fact the two short periods I had off were illnesses which lots of other colleagues had had and was unhappy that I appeared to be singled out. I also reminded him that 2 of the days off were when my mum died so surely that can't count as illness? Having looked through the log there are several inaccuracies- i'm even down as absent when I was actually there and one on my day off!!!!
So- here I go again. I've been expecting it. He's tried everything he can to get me to leave/ cut my hours so I'm not surprised that he's trying this line of attack. The last time he did this was just after my dad died, this time it's after mum died. Talk about kicking you when you're down. I could do without the extra stress but I'm not going to let him get away with it. This time I will be better prepared. He clearly wasn't expecting me to go on the attack today and wouldn't listen, just kept trying to say that it was impacting on the students education and that we were going round in circles. It was great to see him squirming as I wrong footed him.
A colleague had a similar situation last year after she'd had breast cancer. He managed to grind her down so much that she had a breakdown. Unfortunately she didn't have union backing. He's a nasty manipulative so and so and will try all kinds of strategies, even resorting to lying and using other colleagues to cause trouble.
A sad indictment of the times we live in -experienced and dedication count for nothing.
Thanks for reading this
Watch this space
Maria
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/27/2010 Posts: 136 Location: Stockton on Tees, Cleveland
|
Hi Maria
You have every right to be livid. He sounds like a terrible head, I was so lucky at my school, the heads sister had RA and so he was very sympathetic towards me. You need to make sure that you contact your union. My union rep was fantastic, and in the end helped me to get ill health retirement, which was what I wanted. Dont let him push you around, make sure you have your union rep with you for every meeting. That really impacts on the way you are dealt with.
Try not to worry, I am sure things will work out for you.
Best wishes
Louise
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,689 Location: Durham
|
Hi Maria, Sorry to hear this - your head seems to have come from the same stock as my former headmaster. Just make sure you get the union involved, and make sure everything he does/says is written down. What he is doing is harrassment and you don`t need that. Take care, and keep posting, Kathleen x
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/3/2011 Posts: 717 Location: Torbay
|
Dear Maria. I'm really sorry that you are being treated like this. It is unacceptable and you are right to feel angry. It sounds like you are already in the union, so that's good! I'm wondering if the head's behaviour might count as discrimination if you have had similar absences to other staff yet they have not been pulled in for absence meetings. You could ask to speak to the union people for advice on this. My union has a specialist in work place law (who was fantastic in supporting me over sickness absence disciplinary procedures when I was first ill and could barely move let alone work). Some unions have a disability officer who specialises in issues like these. I think you should Keep a diary, if you don't already, and write down anything that might be significant, even if you just have a hunch that something feels odd in any interactions at work. if you have to take legal action in the future then times and dates can be really helpful. You can write down any holidays and absences too as it sounds like the accounting at your workplace is a bit chaotic. Keep us posted and remember that you have rights under the equality act. Good luck.
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 5/7/2012 Posts: 149 Location: S E London
|
Maria,
Having the union involved is a good move, he sounds like a bully!
Try not to get too stressed (easier said than done).
Best of luck
Mary
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/16/2009 Posts: 156
|
Hi Maria
I know how you feel i am just got throught it now they just do not understand what pain is as you try your best to carry one i sometimes wounder if we would be better off being a slob and making up every excuse we can think of to be off work. I now have a sit down job but I am in the realms of a tribunaral. good luck to you dont worry about ranting it does help.
Good luck
Audrey
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 856
|
Thanks for your replies everyone
An update- he decided not to proceed with a formal review, having 'considered my comments'. He said that he would like to have a meeting to discuss how the school could help me further (it was all I could do to stop myself telling him that not harrassing me would be the best thing!). A meeting was had, with the union rep present and a form was duly filled in, with bereavement being the main reason for absence (which it was). One main thing that came out of the meeting was that the school's health and attendance policy has finally been formally created and is to be implemented- this was one of the areas I took him to task over as we had no official one and he seemed to be picking and choosing from the local authority model policy.
He also finally acknowledged that absence due to RA should not be included in total of days absent . So, for the time being, things have settled down. He seems to have tried it on again, and got the message that I've done my homework and will fight him all the way. Just a pity I have to go through this stress. I mentioned it to my consultant who logged it in his report and letter to my GP- great to have him onside!
Maria
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 5/2/2012 Posts: 670 Location: where the sun always shines :o
|
 hiya Maria I'm so so pleased for you, some organisations want to feel they rule the roost. I hope you relax and take it easy, go back when your ready. Jane X
|
|
|
|
Rank: Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/21/2012
Posts: 23
Location: Nottingham
|
Hi Maria,
Sorry to hear about the bullying your boss is doing. I know how stressful it is as mine is bullying me too - I have letter from occupational health doctor saying I need to be on reduced hours and that must be rigidly adhered to as he believes the extra hours I have been doing at home are making me worse (Im a college lecturer so marking at this time of year is relentless), my consultant has also said she would write to my boss, but it still goes on... the latest is that top managers are telling me to request annual leave, but she wont tell me how many hours I have remaining so I cant make the request....
Hope it soon improves for you :-)
Tina
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,006 Location: Timperley
|
Nothing shocks me anymore, Tina. Bullying in the workplace is becoming more and more common place.
Take care, all you lovely ladies
Jan xxxxx
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
