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AIBU?

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Original poster

Vaping at work

84 replies

Supermummy88 · 16/01/2024 19:01

Good evening all,

Not quite a AIBU, but I’m in a really difficult situation at work. I just started a new job back in October at a secondary school(I’m a teacher). It’s a nice department and I feel like I’ve settled in well. One of the other teachers who I get on well with has vaped in my classroom on an occasion. This was when there was also another member of staff in my classroom. Considering I’m new and don’t like to get involved in any work place conflict, I didn’t say anything to anyone but did advise her not to and recommended that she perhaps go outside of the school building.

However, today my line manager has told me that other members of staff have told her that this teacher has vaped in my classroom and that i now need to write up a statement confirming that she has vaped. I had no choice but to write a short statement. I also got told that she already had a verbal warning about vaping on the school premises before I had started.

She is a lovely person and very helpful…shares her resources etc. Should I talk to her and tell her about the situation and that she could perhaps get a written warning about this? And maybe let her know that I had to write a statement, or should I leave it? I’ve never been in any sort of situation like this before. I don’t want my line manager being annoyed with me either as I’ve just started here.

Thank you xxx

OP posts:
Original poster
Supermummy88 · 17/01/2024 20:22

I am not one to get involved in any type of politics. I’m a very reserved person so I think because I was new she tried her luck, but someone complained and I was pulled up on it!

OP posts:
stomachameleon · 17/01/2024 20:17

@Supermummy88 you are stuck now and I would give them all a wide birth.
You must have known she shouldn't be vaping so I would make sure she doesn't do it again (she would be an idiot if she did that now) if need be leave the room if she comes in.
I would also give your boss/ who asked you a wide birth too for putting you in that position.
If either asks anything again refer them to each other.
And stay out of school politics!

stomachameleon · 17/01/2024 20:14

@Hatty65 I agree.

Original poster
Supermummy88 · 17/01/2024 20:13

Well this has actually happened, hence why I’m seeking advice as I’m so stressed out about it! I have been teaching for 15 years and have never come across anything like this before! The reason why o didn’t know how to deal with it was because I had just started at the school. I thought I’d let it go, but didn’t realise the other staff member in the class that is actually this this teachers good friend outside of school, was the one who had written the statement about it!

OP posts:
ginoclocksomewhere · 17/01/2024 20:09

She's a grown up who knew the rules and ignored them anyway. She was an idiot to do it.

You're winding yourself up, just let her resign and be done with it.

Original poster
Supermummy88 · 17/01/2024 20:08

She’s over 40! The situation has caused me such bad anxiety that I don’t even want to go into work. Before the Xmas holidays she came into my room to vape and closed the door and locked it from inside (we have lock that you can turn in each classroom), and it was just a coincidence that our line manager tried to come in and the room was locked. My manager did talk to me about this and I told her that it wasn’t me that locked the door. Since that day manager has been out to her and find evidence of her vaping

OP posts:
Hatty65 · 17/01/2024 20:05

This reads like an episode of Waterloo Road, frankly. The sort of thing scriptwriters believe might actually happen in a school, but really doesn't.

In 30 years of teaching I've never come across a situation like this - or a teacher who wouldn't know how unacceptable it was. Nor one who wouldn't know how to respond to someone vaping in their room.

Hipnotised · 17/01/2024 20:01

Wow. No, you absolutely shouldn't have told her. The first response is like it's been written by AI!

Next time your line manager tells you anything about another member of staff, keep it to yourself.

And join a union if you haven't done so already - I'm guessing you might find them better to talk to if you have any future queries of this sort.

GrammarTeacher · 17/01/2024 19:55

I still don't get why on earth she thinks what she's doing is acceptable. How old is she?

byteme1011 · 17/01/2024 19:53

@Supermummy88 you are not responsible for her reaction please don't let it affect you, I hope she does resign she sounds very very immature

MrsHamlet · 17/01/2024 19:49

I’m really down right now and feel like I’ve made a big mistake

You should've kept it to yourself. However, you'll know for next time - so try to put it behind you.

Original poster
Supermummy88 · 17/01/2024 19:15

I’ve never been in such a situation so really didn’t know what to do. I’m the type of person that just keeps myself to myself and avoid any type of conflict/drama. I’m really down right now and feel like I’ve made a big mistake. I didn’t expect her to react in such a way. I’ve only been there half a term. Also this is not the first time she’s been caught vaping…it also happened before I started and members of staff complained. She also came into my room at the end of the day and said that I’m either a really good liar or I’m genuinely telling the truth. She said that she got told that I was the staff member that approached our line manager, which is not true because I was approached and put on the spot because the member of staff who was in the class when she was vaping was the one who complained…I stayed quiet and pulled up on it…I had no choice but to say yes she did! What a mess!!!!

OP posts:
MrsHamlet · 17/01/2024 17:48

Supermummy88 · 17/01/2024 15:03

So quick update…today I told the teacher who was vaping in my room that I can’t be put into this situation again because I have been asked about it and that it’s made me feel really uncomfortable. She’s now gone to the line manager saying she’s not trusted at this school and that she’s going to resign. I didn’t expect her to react in such a way. It’s put me in even more of an awkward situation now because maybe I shouldn’t have mentioned anything at all. I just didn’t want her to come into my room and vape again. Feeling really down about it.

Honestly, you were really daft to do this.

It was not your place and you've made yourself look untrustworthy.

eish · 17/01/2024 16:08

Don’t feel down, this is in her.

stomachameleon · 17/01/2024 16:03

You were advised not to tell her. You are reaping the rewards now. Neither of them will trust you. What did you think would happen?

Tattletwat · 17/01/2024 16:00

This is entirely her fault she mad her bed let her resign she seems like a idiot anyway.

That said people told you not to speak to her about it, so you feeling down about her reaction well you should have left alone.

GrammarTeacher · 17/01/2024 15:27

Why on earth would any grown up do this in a school. Makes no sense.

Ladyj84 · 17/01/2024 15:24

Nope it's not my problem so wouldn't get involved saying anything. You haven't been asked to share either

Alwaysalwayscold · 17/01/2024 15:21

In all honesty everyone did advise you not to say anything. I wouldn't worry as she's only throwing her toys out the pram because she's been caught. I doubt you'll get any repercussions other than a conversation about not discussing things in future.

thedementedelf · 17/01/2024 15:15

You told her at the time not to do it and she did it anyway.

This is all on her, not you.

Original poster
Supermummy88 · 17/01/2024 15:03

So quick update…today I told the teacher who was vaping in my room that I can’t be put into this situation again because I have been asked about it and that it’s made me feel really uncomfortable. She’s now gone to the line manager saying she’s not trusted at this school and that she’s going to resign. I didn’t expect her to react in such a way. It’s put me in even more of an awkward situation now because maybe I shouldn’t have mentioned anything at all. I just didn’t want her to come into my room and vape again. Feeling really down about it.

OP posts:
NeverDropYourMooncup · 16/01/2024 21:30

bluebells1234 · 16/01/2024 20:31

I think suggesting the teacher might jump from vaping in a classroom to abusing a child is a bit of a stretch. The teacher shouldn't vape on school premises but I would give her the heads up unless you've been explicitly told not to.

Show quote history

It's not that this particular teacher would - but the interfering with a potentially formal investigation because the OP doesn't want to be a grass/doesn't think it's that bad/likes the person is exactly how more serious things are got away with. And how people can be viewed by SLT afterwards, as it'll be obvious who has told the vaper.

This is, by the way, said as somebody who has absolutely no problem with vapes. The only way to have one is to go off site, though, as the alternative is a whole world of shit and nobody who vapes is stupid enough to not know this is a spectacularly idiotic act.

bluebells1234 · 16/01/2024 20:31

NeverDropYourMooncup · 16/01/2024 20:15

You're not supposed to give anybody that is subject to an investigation a heads-up that it's taking place. OK, it's vaping this time, but it could be for anything from drug or alcohol use to abuse of children or another criminal offence.

Moreover, if you do tip her off, then you've shown to management that you've a) ignored rules on behaviour in the classroom - ie, the vaping and b) sided with the person who is actually breaking the Law to the extent of warning them. This would not be good for you in the long run.

I think suggesting the teacher might jump from vaping in a classroom to abusing a child is a bit of a stretch. The teacher shouldn't vape on school premises but I would give her the heads up unless you've been explicitly told not to.

Alwaysalwayscold · 16/01/2024 20:31

You could land yourself in trouble for discussing it with her.

In all honesty if she's reckless enough to waltz around vaping in front of multiple (and new) staff members, then she's just asking to be caught.

Tattletwat · 16/01/2024 20:29

Do not discuss it with her or give her a heads up, you could get your self into hot water by doing it.

She is a idiot, has been warned before and continues to do it so deserves what is coming to her.

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