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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to report this member of staff to the head?

78 replies

walklikeapenguin · 18/03/2011 14:54

I have noticed that most days when I go to pick up my child from infant school, a member of the caretaking staff is standing immediately outside the school gates smoking a cigarette.

The staff member wears a coat in school colours, with the school logo on it.

I think that:
a) it sets a bad example if the children see
and
b) it presents a poor image of the school to passers by and parents

WIBU to bring this to the attention of the head?

OP posts:
mrsscoob · 18/03/2011 16:19

lol I remember when I was at school one of our teachers used to catch the school bus and always would light a fag as soon as he got on!! How times have changed and I do feel in the most part for the better but I think some people can take things just a little too far! YABU

ApocalypseCheeseToastie · 18/03/2011 16:20

Yabu, good gawd when I was a kid we used to hold our breath walking past the staff smoking room.

I can't imagine anyones ever taken up smoking because they've clocked their caretaker having a crafty ciggy

mrsscoob · 18/03/2011 16:22

Agree Apacalypse More likely put them off I'd say

ShatnersBassoon · 18/03/2011 16:23

YABU to 'report' them, unless they weren't supposed to be having a break when you saw them off the premises.

It isn't shocking to see someone smoking.

lady007pink · 18/03/2011 16:23

We all grew up in a society which allowed smoking, even in all indoor areas. Believe it or not, i never took up smoking and have a clean bill of health. I just think you are OTT about this OP.

usualsuspect · 18/03/2011 16:24

[fag]

LaurieFairyCake · 18/03/2011 16:26

Really????

I honestly think when I read these threads that people want secretly to make smoking illegal.

There are lots of things that people who are in contact with children do because they make adult choices - for example one at dd's school wears a nose stud, one (male) has those giant 'fashionable' holes in his ears (about 10mm across), one wears 6 inch heels, one has a very visible tattoo down her neck.

It's not illegal, its just a poor (or different) 'adult' choice. I for one think that children will meet adults who make different choices and don't think they should be in a hermetically sealed environment.

I am anti-smoking for me but I wouldn't complain about other adults doing it.

southmum · 18/03/2011 16:36

Is smoking illegal??? Since when Shock

We all do things that set a bad example to our kids. Its teaching them not to follow them thats the important bit.

Leave the poor sod alone, think Id need a fag every now and then if I worked in a school.

southmum · 18/03/2011 16:36

Op - what do you think about seeing people smoke on the telly? Do you lunge for the remote like a ninja?

GypsyMoth · 18/03/2011 16:43

what about if the caretaker was eating a big mac? mars bar? drinking can of coke??

would you disaprove and call the head??

southmum · 18/03/2011 16:46

Or a Greggs sausage roll Shock

Whilst enjoying a fruit shoot

Original poster
walklikeapenguin · 18/03/2011 16:56

errr.....no, Tiffany! Totally off the point, but one difference is that everyone needs to eat and drink things to live, but nobody needs to smoke.

Southmum -no I don't care if people on the TV smoke, although they tend not to do it in CBeebies as it's for young children...as is an infants school...

No I don't mean that they'll all think it looks so cool that they'll immediately start smoking. I mainly think it just doesn't present a very good image for the school

OP posts:
YouTry · 18/03/2011 16:59

If our head teacher knew a member of staff was smoking in view of the kids she'd be very very unimpressed. The students (secondary) are given a day's internal exclusion if they smoke in their school uniform, should be no different for adults. If members of staff smoke they drive off site and away during break/ lunch.

fedupofnamechanging · 18/03/2011 21:04

Of course it should be different for adults YouTry. They are not children/pupils at the school. They are adults. Working at a school does not mean you should be subject to the same rules as the students, because you are not the same.

Back when I was working in a school, the rules stated that pupils had to wear uniform, couldn't wear jewellery etc. As an adult I would have felt that to be an unreasonable demand had the school tried to apply those same rules to the staff!

GypsyMoth · 18/03/2011 21:08

yes,the school is for infants,quite right.....but this person was outside the school right???

Bearcat · 18/03/2011 21:15

Live and let live.
Do you really want someone on a low ' Care taking Wage' to lose their job?
Is it going to influence infant school aged children?

ravenAK · 18/03/2011 21:20

I'm a teacher & used to smoke.

I would never have smoked within sight of students (used to be a PITA on residential trips, as wherever I'd earmarked for a crafty fag, so had the smokers amongst the kids! Grin)

OTOH, I'd've taken a pretty dim view of being reported or told off for it. Staff members are ADULTS & can exercise their own judgment.

If this person is 'offsite' & on a break then they can't be told to change this IMO. If their line manager wanted to ask them to be more discreet (away from gate, don't wear logo'd coat) then that might be reasonable - but it really isn't a matter for parents.

smoresonthecampfire · 18/03/2011 21:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

pooka · 18/03/2011 21:25

But OP sees the person smoking on her way to pick up.

Therefore, the actual school children are still in the classroom, protected from the ghastly sight while the caretaker has a break.

I think that once you start using the 'poor for the school image' line, it's a slippery slope to objecting to other things that might bring the reputation down. Parents smoking on their walk in? Children wearing tatty clothes. Crappy bangers parked outside?

Smoking is not illegal (though I think would be no bad thing apart from the massive financial impact).

LoveLeonardCohen · 18/03/2011 22:57

YANBU....disgusting to smoke right outside the school

LoveLeonardCohen · 18/03/2011 22:58

And OP it is your business as your DC goes to that school. Finding some posters on this thread bit agressive and defensive about smoking

worraliberty · 18/03/2011 23:04

Jeez it's only the caretaker..who takes any notice of them lol?

I grew up in a day where teachers smoked in the staff room. If we were sent there on an errand, you'd be hit with a cloud of smoke as soon as the door opened. The Headmaster walked around smoking a pipe.

I don't remember any kids taking up smoking because of this...so I doubt seeing the caretaker have a quick puff is going to make a difference to anyone.

bruxeur · 18/03/2011 23:04

Just wait a bit, they'll be dead soon enough.

ravenAK · 18/03/2011 23:12

Oh, I find it disgusting (sanctimonious ex-smoker...) - if it were made a Class B controlled substance tomorrow, I'd be fine with that.

BUT the caretaker is employed by the school, not owned by them. (S)he will be expected to abide by non-smoking rules & regs whilst on site.

In breaks - nipping offsite for a fag is a perfectly legit activity. Yes, it looks a bit poor to have school staff chuffing away at the gate - if I were line managing that person I'd probably suggest somewhere else to go (if only to avoid flak from parents & visitors).

But - & I really think this is the point - it is NOT the business of parents to micro-manage the staff at their kids' school. If he's not on duty & on the school grounds - you need to wind your neck in.

usualsuspect · 18/03/2011 23:56

O O O O

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