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Original poster

Line Manager slating me to department

51 replies

BleshRed · 16/09/2021 19:11

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?

OP posts:
canigooutyet · 16/09/2021 20:33

I'd also gone to the HT in the weeks preceding the breakdown and I had a diary of all incidents over a period of time. What I hadn't fully realised although suspected, the main bully was the "golden" person and things got worse very quickly and they all closed ranks.

donquixotedelamancha · 16/09/2021 20:40

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

Because, in the scenario you describe, it seems the only sensible option and you haven't explained why you don't want to do the sensible thing to protect yourself.

That said:

  1. You need to speak to her with her line manager present to resolve this. Do not hope it will go away.
  1. You need to be factual and specific. You need to take someone along to minute the meeting.
  1. There is no way to avoid involving your staff- you didn't involve them, she did.
  1. You need to decide the resolution you want going in and you need to follow the situation up until it's resolved (if not as you wanted, at least to your satisfaction.
  1. Do everything in writing and make sure you know the disciplinary policies back to front. I would not submit a grievance in the first instance- it's the nuclear option.
myheartskippedabeat · 16/09/2021 22:28

@BleshRed

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.
What if a pupil tries to sue you? Join a bloody union fo t be so daft you may need expensive legal representation
RampantIvy · 16/09/2021 22:34

Gievn that the advice from nearly every poster is to join a union because that is the best way to get support, why are you digging your heels in and making life more difficult for yourself?

Original poster
BleshRed · 16/09/2021 22:37

I asked a question about my line manager. I’ve been really clear that I don’t want to join a union. Thank you for the few suggestions I’ve had, I will speak to SLT tomorrow and ask for their advice.

OP posts:
Pinkflipflop85 · 16/09/2021 22:39

I am shocked that you are working in education and aren't in a union!

Thundercracked · 16/09/2021 22:40

But seriously. What is your opposition to a union? I'm on leadership but we are pro union for the following reasons:

  • a student accuses you of something, you have legal protection and representation.
  • you can work to ensure change is put into effect.
  • unions safeguard our members from bullying.
  • unions have been pretty valuable in ensuring safety in schools (okay less recently but on our return last Septemver they were great).
  • the union members work with us to advise on wellbeing and workload.
  • having a union presence and union reps means we (hopefully!) aren't the distant, far removed leadership that so many schools are criticised for.
  • your reps are an advocate, mediator and advisor rolled into one.
amillionmenonmars · 16/09/2021 22:49

The union will not take on a case that pre- dates membership so it probably would not be helpful here.

The pp seems determined to ignore almost universal good advice to joining a union, if only for the legal support it gives if, God forbid, a student makes an allegation. Keeping you fingers crossed that it will not happen to you - well I suppose that is one option.

The advice about union membership is being given as people are genuinely trying to help and support. You clearly don't want to hear that so there is nothing more to say really.

Original poster
BleshRed · 16/09/2021 22:50

@Thundercracked I understand that some teachers enjoy being part of unions, others don’t. I’ve actually never worked with a union rep that I’ve liked being around - our current NEU rep is horrible!! I wouldn’t feel comfortable talking to him about anything at all. I have previously been a member, had to strike for things I didn’t agree with, worked in a school where they passed a vote of no confidence in the SLT and virtually took over the school banning teachers from doing anything that was t written explicitly in contracts. I’ve been shouted over in meetings, had my name written on emails I don’t agree with. I actually don’t know that many teachers in my current school or last school who are members of a union - the last school was an academy where the head refused to acknowledge the unions at all and very few staff were members of one at all. This school, the horrid rep sent out an email to all staff listing all the members of unions in school and asking anyone wanting to join to come along too… there were 7 names on the list out of around 60 members of staff.

OP posts:
Original poster
BleshRed · 16/09/2021 22:52

@amillionmenonmars you’ve acknowledged yourself that unions aren’t the answer in this case. I was asking for any advice as to how to sort in school. As I’ve said, I’ll ask my SLT now.

OP posts:
MumofSpud · 16/09/2021 22:54

If you're a HoD then surely your line manager is part of the SLT.

  1. Go to the head ASAP - you talk about leaving but your line manager will be doing your reference!!
  2. Join a union!!!!
surreygirl1987 · 16/09/2021 22:57

I am amazed you are not in a union and I really don't understand why you would choose not to be.

What position is your line manager? If you are HoD then I would assume a member of SLT? Can you speak with the Head?

Original poster
BleshRed · 16/09/2021 22:57

@MumofSpud yes she is but I will go above her to the deputy head. I’m not concerned at all for a reference… she’d write me a glowing one! She’s doing it so that I leave, that’s her goal. I will eventually and I can count on the best reference ever from her - sadly just for the wrong reasons. Im actually good at my job and get on with everyone else at work, it’s just her that has an issue. It’s a complex situation. Well… and as I said they union rep is pretty objectionable too. The rest of the staff are really nice and the students are lovely! Shame.

OP posts:
titchy · 16/09/2021 23:00

Then join a different union FFS Hmm Voice for example has a non-strike pledge if you're not happy about being asked to go on strike.

MumofSpud · 16/09/2021 23:03

I wonder if she has done this before?
I had issues with another member of staff (school) and was told that I was just her latest 'victim' of bullying (we are both middle-aged women!)Hmm
I couldn't believe that and in the end put in a complaint and we had to have a meeting with our LMs.
Found out recently that at the same time she had bullied out of the job another teacher!
Sometimes schools close ranks / protect the most unlikely people!

Original poster
BleshRed · 16/09/2021 23:07

@MumofSpud I know that she’s been through a bullying accusation before (and had the unions in etc) which was months of meetings and in the end was “resolved”. She’s just not a very nice person unfortunately.

OP posts:
surreygirl1987 · 16/09/2021 23:10

If she's been accused of bullying before then that's helpful for your case - in that situation I would definitely go above her head to the Dep Head if you trust him/her to handle it well. Sounds like your LM has form for it and probably a reputation!

HollowTalk · 16/09/2021 23:13

Can you tell us why you don't want to join a union? It's absolutely vital in teaching as things can go wrong very very quickly.

Heyha · 16/09/2021 23:19

I am in Voice (called Community now I think), am usually the only person in the school with them but my regional guy has been helpful when (infrequently, thankfully) needed. I was NUT in my first school but didn't like the way the rep worked in the next one and the NASUWT bloke was new to the role and being led by the way the NUT behaved so I chose my own option.

mumwon · 16/09/2021 23:22

Joining the union does not mean you have to vote labour or go on strike at the drop of the hat (although you can than vote against strikes)
It does give you advantages like discounts etc - but most of all it gives you support & advice in cases like this - & you obviously need it
I don't like strikes but I would advocate joining a union

Original poster
BleshRed · 16/09/2021 23:22

@HollowTalk I really don’t want this to turn into a debate on unions. I fully support all teachers who wish to be part of them and respect their role in the sector. However, I don’t enjoy being a union member, don’t want to feel obliged to strike, sign or vote for something I don’t agree with. I find the majority of union representation (that I’ve witnessed) to be OTT and sometimes inflammatory to the situation. Some of the reps I’ve dealt with have been absolute dogs on a bone and not helpful at all. I don’t wish to pay expensive fees into organisations that I don’t find supportive or helpful to me. I’m not meaning that offensively, but it can be almost cultish in some schools - I have even stated on this thread very clearly that I don’t want to join one and members are repeating over and over again the same comments of “join a union”. They have their place but they’re not for everyone.

OP posts:
Original poster
BleshRed · 16/09/2021 23:24

@Heyha I’ve heard Voice is one of the best to join, I’ll have a look at their stuff again.

OP posts:
JayAlfredPrufrock · 16/09/2021 23:24

Many years ago my mum was a member of a really lightweight union. None striking etc but there to support when needed. I think it was the Professional Teachers Association. I’m sure there must be similar today.

GiantCheeseMonster · 17/09/2021 06:20

You’ve had a bad experience with a rep. That’s like saying you’ll never access medical help again because one GP wasn’t very nice to you. People are going on about it because it’s professional lunacy not to be in a union as a teacher. You’ll probably never need it but if you do and you’re not in one then you are finished. And the nature of the job means even if you behave perfectly at all times, it’s no guarantee a child won’t make a malicious accusation. Join a non-striking union, please.

titchy · 17/09/2021 09:28

@JayAlfredPrufrock

Many years ago my mum was a member of a really lightweight union. None striking etc but there to support when needed. I think it was the Professional Teachers Association. I’m sure there must be similar today.
PAT became Voice which a couple if us have recommended Smile