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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to think I should report a verbally aggressive caretaker?

11 replies

Isabelle111 · 05/03/2015 07:07

Had to retrieve something important that I'd left behind in a classroom where I'd been teaching last night. Dashed to the building to find the caretaker locking up. About ten minutes after class ended and, as far as I know, still within the time which we're allowed to leave the building.

He was furious - shouted very aggressively. I followed him up the stairs and he bellowed again - I dashed in, picked up the thing in question, and said something like 'I've clearly made you very angry'. I was shaking and ran back to the office. I said something about what had happened but that was it - it's unlikely to go any further.

Of course, I shouldn't have followed him in - he was very scary at that point. Always a pretty gruff chap, but this was something else. Frightening and, if I'd been a student, my guess is the organisation would take it up as a 'safeguarding' issue. As it is, they'd do nothing if I reported it.

Clearly, anxious about seeing him again. The classrooms are apart from the main office and only a couple of us work in them in the evenings. Once students have gone, I can easily be on my own for a few minutes. Obviously, one answer is to leave bang on time, when everyone else is and to leave nothing behind (it was clearly a mistake - but I was preoccupied with student queries). The other is to mention this guy's outburst to his bosses at the nearby community centre (not our organisation per se). They'd no doubt have a word with him. I feel I shouldn't let this go completely - it could have been a lot worse than 'simply' a verbal tirade. I must have delayed him for less than a minute. I don't want him in trouble but I think he needs to know - or someone does - about his frenzied behaviour last night.

OP posts:
Fabulassie · 05/03/2015 07:40

Maybe nothing will "happen" but if a note can be made and he continues to be problematic, it can help them see a pattern.

Hissy · 05/03/2015 07:43

Absolutely report his verbal abuse of you! He has no right to talk to you like that!

That must have been terrifying, poor you :(

hippoinamudhole · 05/03/2015 07:44

Why on earth is he locking up that early? Does your school not have cleaners?

Ledkr · 05/03/2015 07:47

I can't get a feel for what actually happened from your post as on one hand you seem as if you were very scared and stil are and on the other you say you don't think anything can be done.
If this guy made you feel as scared as you describe then I absolutely think you should take this further, surely as a teacher you have a duty to report a potential threat to one of them?
Sorry, that sounds as if I'm having a go at you but I'm really not, you sound terrified and that makes me furious.

Aeroflotgirl · 05/03/2015 08:05

I would take this further and have a meeting with the HT, this is unacceptable. He obviously frightened and intimidated you, this should be flagged up.

Aeroflotgirl · 05/03/2015 08:07

No you have to, he cannot be allowed to verbally abuse you, whatif he did that to a student, as you said it woukd be about safeguarding.

popalot · 05/03/2015 08:11

He's locking up about 2 hours early!!!! His fault. Totally within your rights to report him to your head. I wouldn't accept this verbal aggression anywhere, especially somewhere where you might be caught alone with him. Might be time he retired if he can't get a grip!

Marshy · 05/03/2015 08:12

Of course something can be done. Somebody is his manager. In your shoes I would be speaking to that person about the incident. The caretaker needs pulling up on this behaviour.

ghostyslovesheep · 05/03/2015 08:32

why is he locking up so early - where was the head and other staff - I've never worked in a school where everyone leaves when the kids do - he's unreasonable locking up then

please do report him - he was aggressive to you

MaybeDoctor · 05/03/2015 10:16

That is completely unacceptable. I assume from your description that you are an FE teacher of some kind?

That is not only workplace bullying, but a potential safeguarding risk. Put in a formal complaint.

whothehellknows · 05/03/2015 10:52

So it was a night class, right? I understand that those buildings don't stay open for as long as a school would after classes, but that still doesn't make it ok for him to get shirty about a very short delay. Certainly not ok for him to make you feel frightened.

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