I really don't know if it's me or her

[unreasonableboss]

I work in a school office. My boss (the bursar) is generally pretty good to work for, she's a bit of a control freak and like things how she likes them but I understand that and you know where you stand with her.

Recently the SENCO (and assistant head) gave me details of a health condition a child has. He's just back from prolonged sick leave and has some specific things that have to happen at certain times each day. However, we are not responsible for them in the office - they happen in class or in the playground.

Assistant head said this is just for info, put it up in the wall in the office. So I did. A few days later, the child presented at the office after a bump on the head. As luck would have it, it was my lunch break and Bursar was covering the desk. She didn't recognise the child but it was pointed out that it was him by another member of staff. His condition made no difference to the way the injury should be dealt with but I appreciate it would have been better if she'd known.

When I returned my boss was furious. "I run this office, I need to know everything that goes on here, nothing happens here without my say so etc". I now realise I should have made sure everyone in the office was aware but a senior member of staff asked me to do something and I did it. Was that really so wrong? I feel strongly that if anyone was at fault it was the SENCO who should have communicated more fully.

What do you think?

[yummumto3girls]

It sounds a bit harsh from the bursar but if the child has a condition then everyone who may have contact should know the information. If the protocol is just to put it on the wall then does everyone know this?? It sounds a bit lax to me, I presume that those dealing with the issues at other times of the day are aware of it? Is it something you could raise with the SENCO and bursar and clarify exactly what the protocol is? At a staff meeting? If not can you speak to the Head for clarification. She spoke to you in an unacceptable manner, unless this is an ongoing issue I would look at how to resolve it for the future.

[fascicle]

With the benefit of hindsight, communication could have been better. Your boss overreacted, but you say she's generally good to work for. How did you respond to your boss's outburst? Is this an isolated incident and are you happy with your overall relationship?

[FunkyBoldRibena]

What is the written procedure for disseminating information about children like this? Was it followed? If yes then direct them to the procedure. If no, is it your job to disseminate this information? Have they trained you in this part of your job? Is the info on the system that can be accessed somewhere?

Have you told you boss that you did as the assistant head said, and the info is on the wall as ordered?

[HappySunflower]

It sounds as though the asst head should actually have passed the information to both of you, or to your boss to pass down.

In your situation though, whether I considered it my job or not, given a child is involved, I would have shared the information and pointed out the poster to anyone working in the office.