Gross misconduct? AIBU to report this college tutor

[fannyfelcher]

My eldest son is an absolute delight. He is hard working, loyal, loving and awesome. Due to his autism he has had a terrible time in schools and colleges until last September we found a course that he fitted in with right away and he has thrived. The last 3 months he has been talking about getting a part time job but has had no real luck due to shyness and most jobs being customer focused ( he struggles with IDing emotions on others).

Anyway, he came home on Monday thrilled to bits, his tutor had a contact that was looking for serious hard working college age students to train up. Very serious stuff, he has to wear a suit to the interview, attend an evening seminar to get an idea a=of which area he wanted to progress in and if the training was compatible with his college hours. I knew there was something wrong when I looked at the leaflet and it didnt actually say anything, it was all just words and fancy graphics without any real content.

He was so nervous he could not face driving so I went along with him for the 50 minute drive( thank god). We get there and right away, we sat dwn and I just knew what it was. It was a presentation for a company called ACN and they are a multi level marketing scheme. My son was eager to sign up and part with £500 to get "his own business,complete with online shop" so he can become independent and earn his own money. He is so excited by this opportunity nd it breaks my heart. If I had not been there he would have done it right away. I could not say anything there and then as the tutor that he adores so much is the very same guy that has tried to recruit him into this scheme along with another 5 boys from the IT BTEC he runs. I would have embarrassed my son and jeopardized the second year of the course he loves as well as had an entire room full of 100-200 very very enthusiastic people turn on me.

So, I really want to report this tutor, to me he has committed an awful error in his conduct by using his position of trust to try and enrol his students (some vulnerable) into a scheme that will benefit him and leave them poorer. My husband says that I should leave it and make it clear to my son that we will help him find a job that pays an hourly wage so as to give him set hours with a predefined wage as a reward. ( he does not need to get a job, he gets plenty of pocket money but feels he wants to be independent).

So, what do i do you lovely bunch of vipers?

[Belleende]

Before doing anything, make sure you have your facts straight. Gather evidence that this is MLM. Then report the fucker to everyone from his line manager to the Dean. Absolute abuse of position, targeting of more vulnerable students is a safeguarding issue to boot. I think you have a duty to report

[5foot5]

This is appalling. The tutor is definitely abusing his position for his own benefit. Your husband is wrong I think you do have a duty to report this to the college asap.

DD has mentioned that a number of the girls who she knew slightly in Sixth Form got involved in MLM. Posts all over Facebook how they were "running their own business". Some of them borrowed money from family to start up - and of course they have lost it all.

[MrsElvis]

Go on twitter and get advice from ellebeau blog and antimlmwriters

[NewYearNewMe18]

I would go to the college with your concerns and let them investigate. No need to go in guns blazing and make accusations.

It is highly unlikely the college tutor would jeopardise his teaching though and risk pupils dropping out - he will only be retained on results - too many course drop outs and the courses tend not to be funded the following year

[MrsPreston11]

It is 100% an MLM. Dirty scum.

reps.acneuro.com/ACN-Europe_files/docs/comp_plans/UK-EN-CP.pdf

"Success as an ACN® Independent Business Owner is not guaranteed, but directly influenced by an individual's efforts. No one is guaranteed income as an IBO and not all IBOs make a profit. "

[fannyfelcher]

Thanks for the replies, I will be taking it all on board.

This is the official site
acninc.com/

and some others about it

ethanvanderbuilt.com/2014/04/29/acn-scam-yes-opinion/

ethanvanderbuilt.com/2014/04/29/acn-scam-yes-opinion/

[fannyfelcher]

sorry,

www.crimes-of-persuasion.com/Crimes/Delivered/ACN/ACN%20MLM.htm

[FizzyGreenWater]

Absolutely report it!

My god that is an absolute abuse of his position - it's really serious.

[RolyRocks]

It is not completely clear from your OP that your DS's tutor knew that this was an MLM. Just that he had a contact who was offering work for students. Because of this ambiguity, I would keep an open mind as to the motives of the tutor however, yes, the college and the tutor does need to know that this is an MLM and that they should vet all contacts in the future.

[FleurDelacoeur]

Most definitely MLM. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ACN_Inc.

So cross on your son's behalf and absolutely you should report this leech of a man. Disgusting.

[SpringHen]

It doesnt matter whether its a MLM or not in terms of reporting.

For most FE staff using the FE premises or contacts for a side business is a serious offence so you have more than enough info already to go straight to the college

[NoSquirrels]

I would lay out the facts just as you have them, and let the college deal with it.

It is absolutely not OK for that to have happened to any of the students. But how aware was the tutor about what he was sending them to?

Even if he's innocent of deliberately trying to recruit them to an MLM, he is gulity of a gross lapse of judgement and that needs to be reported.

Try to keep it very factual when you report it. But DO report it.

[SpringHen]

It is not completely clear from your OP that your DS's tutor knew that this was an MLM. Just that he had a contact who was offering work for students

Doesnt matter. The careers department coordinates & approves jobs that can/cant be advertised to students via the college.

You cant "go rogue" and recruit directly from your class for your mates.

If you know someone with job ops for students you direct them to the careers hub.

[TrollTheRespawnJeremy]

That is absolutely appalling. Report!±

[Mummyoflittledragon]

I would report this. I only know one person, who is successful dong MLM. So successful that they were thinking about giving up their day job. I will never buy a product or service from someone operating under one of these schemes. It isn’t doing the person any favours to hand over money.

[RolyRocks]

The careers department coordinates & approves jobs that can/cant be advertised to students via the college.

You cant "go rogue" and recruit directly from your class for your mates.

I'm laughing a little that you are assuming a college has a dedicated careers department in this current financial climate - I know mine certainly does not. And since 2004, I have regularly passed on contacts when students have asked for work experience help etc. I am certainly not going "rogue" and neither has anyone I have ever known in the numerous places I have taught in.

I agree with you that it is unacceptable that this has happened. My post was only to point out the tiny possibility that the OP's DS's tutor did not do this maliciously - this might make the OP feel better if her DS is to continue having him as a tutor.

[SpringHen]

So successful that they were thinking about giving up their day job

That doesnt = MLM success generally.
Usually means they were going to leave their job anyway and pretend their MLM "allowed" them to even if theyre making a loss

[sinceyouask]

I'm laughing a little that you are assuming a college has a dedicated careers department in this current financial climate - I know mine certainly does not. And since 2004, I have regularly passed on contacts when students have asked for work experience help etc.

A dedicated department you may be lacking, but surely you have written policies and procedures governing this?

[SpringHen]

I'm laughing a little that you are assuming a college has a dedicated careers department in this current financial climate

Not necessarily a dedicated department but at least a central notice board or section of the website where job ops for students can be displayed with transparency.

Cherry picking students out for your mates is well dodgy and even if YOUR mates are legit, the practice is too open to abuse.

[Dungeondragon15]

It sounds very suspicious. Gather all the evidence about the company you can and take it to the college to investigate. They will be very unhappy about this. Has the tutor worked at the college for long? I wonder if he took on the job specifically to recruit as it seems very dodgy.

[Kittypillar]

That is absolutely vile OP! Definitely report it, I can't get my head around how a tutor would think it's appropriate to try and push their STUDENTS into that sort of BS...

[Dungeondragon15]

It is highly unlikely the college tutor would jeopardise his teaching though and risk pupils dropping out - he will only be retained on results - too many course drop outs and the courses tend not to be funded the following year

That's like saying a teacher/socialworker/carer/vicar etc etc would never be a paedophile because he would be risking his career. The fact is those who want to target the vulnerable will often pick jobs where they can do that. Not saying this is similar to being a paedophile obviously but I don't think you can ever assume someone won't risk their job.

[SpringHen]

RolyRocks there is a specific contact at my local college if you want to advertise jobs to students. Here us what it says on the website:


We advertise your work experience and employment opportunities, to our students.

All applications and CVs are screened to ensure that only the candidates that meet your requirements are presented for short listing. Candidates invited to interview are prepared and committed to the jobs they are applying for - and all of this is delivered at no cost to you, saving both time and money.

[MrsPreston11]

Have you FB stalked the tutor?

Is he involved with the MLM?

[SomeKnobend]

That's a real abuse of his position and his students' trust. Definitely report him.