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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to think the teacher sickie story is not newsworthy?

108 replies

Imdefonotmaddona · 06/06/2026 09:25

A teacher pulled a “ sickie “ to attend a stag do.

so he told them he was vomiting but instead went to Portugal for a stag do.
but despite lying was not banned from teaching.

this has been on on social media and news like BBC.

I get he did wrong but am I the only one a bit confused why it’s news worthy 🤣

I feel a little sorry for him. I understand he done wrong but surely this it not the level of misconduct that needs to his face splashed over the news ?

OP posts:
stillhiding1990 · 06/06/2026 10:06

If you’re destroying legal documents to cover your lies in a safeguarding role then it’s not great is it

violetcuriosity · 06/06/2026 10:05

Only in teaching would this be an issue 😂 let a man live. The amount of staff I have off on long term sick rn, shows the culture of the school if he didn’t feel able to ask for those days unpaid and also another member of staff he’s obviously friendly with telling on him?!

FudgeFudy · 06/06/2026 09:57

I haven't seen this story but I'll hazard a guess it's most prominent in the Mail and Express, the raison d'etre of which is to get dim people spluttering with rage into their cornflakes about anything vaguely public sector or 'left wing'. Nobody sensible will think it's a big deal.

MudLark87 · 06/06/2026 09:50

There needs to be more flexibility in teaching, surely that's the story?

It might retain teachers.

napody · 06/06/2026 09:49

I think it'll actually help people realise that teachers are never allowed to take time off in term time. Some seem to think that they can on top of having school holidays! They have no flexibility- parent or child funeral seems to be about the only circs in many schools. Most couldn't take a day for a friend's wedding for example, no matter how far in advance they knew about it.

So obviously he shouldn't have done it, but the attempts at teacher bashing might actually backfire this time.

Pld · 06/06/2026 09:47

I said this to my husband. You'd think he'd just have been fired from the school for gross misconduct - I'm surprised it went further. If he's done it once, is that any worse than people who are constantly off throughout the year with dubious reasons? Is going on a stag inherently worse than staying off cos you want to sort your house out or have a lie in or whatever?

MrCollinsandhisboiledpotatoes · 06/06/2026 09:46

I agree. It's not career ending worthy.
Bloke pulls a sickie to go to a party. Big fucking deal 🙄

PancakeCloud · 06/06/2026 09:44

Agree. Slap on the wrist appropriate for this if just a one off.