Line Manager slating me to department

[BleshRed]

I’m head of a department in a school, fairly new to the role as started last year. For the whole of the last year, my line manager has been unkind, cutting and “off” with me. She very snakey, lies about things and tries to create drama. I generally try to ignore it, challenge her on the bigger things and let as much go as I can. I go above and beyond to remain calm, be friendly and positive. Mostly because I don’t know how to handle it really. Today, a few members of my department told me that she’s been going down to their rooms and slating me openly. They say they don’t agree with her point of view and try to stay out of it, remaining quiet. Apparently this morning she was slating me in front of the whole team. I can’t really confront her - she will outright deny it as usual and lie. If I report her to someone else, I’ll have to drag the other members of staff onto it too. I’m so upset and just don’t want to go back to school at all. Any advice?

Get advice from your union. She can tell you don't want to stand up to her- all bullies can. You'll probably have to raise a grievance.

I’m not a member of a union.

Become a member of a union asap

I don’t want to join a union. Is there anything else I can do? Would you confront her? I’m not sure that would be productive really. I’m considering talking to the deputy head and asking for advice.

How can you work in a school and not be in a union?
The chances of someone working in a school needing union back up is quite high- think about accidents/allegations against you by pupils or parents, let alone employment issues such as those you are facing right now. Seriously, you should join a union now.
And then look for a new job. If you are not willing to challenge this woman or invoke the bullying policy because you don't want to involve anyone else, then realistically nothing is going to change.

I will definitely look for a new job - there aren’t any out yet but I’m sure something will come up later in the year. I am definitely willing to challenge her, maybe with someone else present?! I could probably say she’s bullying me but she’ll lie and a lot of it would be her word against mine. Im thinking of asking to change to a new line manager if I go to SLT and explain the situation.

Join a union, seriously

What are your objections to joining a union? Religious?

Don't make life even more difficult for yourself by trying to solve it yourself, join a union. And join before you do anything else because there are clauses about not being able to help with pre-existing issues I believe.

There are unions that don't strike if that is part of your objection to them.

Obviously you should be in a teaching union

Make a complaint/grievance- she can't deny it - all the teachers at the meeting will be interviewed and they will confirm it happened

Join a union.

@LaurieFairyCake what would the likely outcome of that be? Perhaps not a lot other than a lot of stress. I’ve never been through a grievance process - and I’ve been a teacher for 15 years!

Confront her.

Say it’s got back to you from more than one member of staff that there are aspects of your work that she’s unhappy about. Therefore you’d like a development meeting with her ASAP to address her concerns. Make sure you take someone with you. Pref her manager.

(If any of that is possible as a teacher).

@Bobsyer I’m thinking of perhaps doing that with the deputy head present, thanks

1. Join a union

1. Get advise from a friendly member of SLT.

Please join a union, for the insurance at least.

Thanks everyone but I’ve been really clear that I don’t want to join a union, why keep commenting the same thing?

No one understands why you wouldn’t join a union that will protect your rights.

Because the protection it can give you is really invaluable.

Because it's absolutely ridiculous to not be in one when you're working in education. It's that simple.

Not being in a union as a teacher is v v foolish. If someone ever makes an allegation against you you will need them.

In the meantime you need to go to the Head. There will be a formal process and you will need to go on the record and give specifics.

@BleshRed

Thanks everyone but I’ve been really clear that I don’t want to join a union, why keep commenting the same thing?

Because if you can’t sort this out through the goodwill of the staff involved, without a union you’re fucked basically.

@DismantledKing I’m not really “fucked” but yes, it’s pretty horrible working with a nutty line manager so I do need some support in school. I think I’ll move school ultimately when something comes up.

I used to be the same about not wanting to join a union. After years about hearing horror stories I finally joined. Thankfully I did as I could not foresee me getting bullied which contributed to having a breakdown.

The Union were tremendous in not only getting the school to back off, but supporting me going through the grievance process. They also spoke to others who had witnessed personally what I went through who wouldn't have spoken out in fear of getting the same treatment as the rep was able to keep their names out of it.

I think going to the head and asking for a new line manager is a good idea. Say more than one person has told you that she openly slates you. You are not prepared to say who has told you. But the fact that it is their interpretation not yours means that you are not being over-sensitive.

Then just steel yourself for an awkward time, but you know you are in the right. Something has been said by her. She won't deny saying anything, she will simply minimize the negatives features of what she has said. You, with the head or other senior there, will ask why there is a reason to discuss other members of the team to a particular teacher.

She has ruined this job experience for you and you don't want the same thing to happen to anyone else.