Would you be upset by what I say?

[glass22]

I've name changed because I feel I'm in enough trouble and worry myself about everything.

I work in a primary school and give first aid regularly. A complaint has been made by another member of staff that I keep threatening to chop children's arms & legs off!!!!

When a child comes to me bleeding and crying I try not to draw to much attention to the injury whilst patching them up, talking about all sorts and it seems to calm them. I have on occasion joked "we will have to chop it off, what do you think?" This is absolutely said in jest and in a very light hearted way. Out of context it sounds horrific but this couldn't be further from the truth. I've never had a child upset by the comment and in fact most of them burst into laughter.

I can understand why it was mentioned to me but I think the complaint from the member of staff was made maliciously because she has unknown issues with me.

I'm now uncomfortable around the children and very aware of everything I say and do for fear of it being taken out of context.

But bumsex you wouldn't joke if the child was actually seriously injured.

Last week i was on playground duty, a yr3 girl lost her balance when running and fell face first into a wall. I didnt joke with her, i took her to the medical room, cleaned her up and gave her a cuddle. Time and a place.

I say things like that all the time at school and so do my colleagues. Children know it's just a joke.

Definitely not unreasonable, I always say this to my son, the worker who put in a complaint about you is unreasonable and clearly has nothing better to do than try and make you feel bad

You can be injured in a non-serious way and it can still bloody sting and you may not be in the mood to be snapped out of it with someone's hilarious wit. Like I said - try it with an adult - you wouldn't get many laughs.
I think it is an unwise thing to say personally. A child doesn't necessarily need to be autistic or a literal thinker to just not be in the mood for joking around when they are hurt sometimes. It is something that can backfire (I have seen this) and actually make the child feel more upset and that you are mocking them. If the HT has advised not to say it then just don't say it - arguing about it isn't a battle you are going to win.
Other than that I see no harm in saying that while you take what the head has said on board you feel there may have been a malicious element to the complaint as you have had some problems with a member of staff.

OP if you do decide to speak to the head, I'd play a bit dumb and say "I've checked my first aid shift records and I haven't covered that duty for 3 months." Then wait.

It might make it clear, without you saying anything more, that whoever complained has been "storing it up" for a rainy day (if/when she decides to lodge a complaint). If HT looks at you blankly you could mention that you find it odd that a complaint over something so small would take so long to be lodged, and if there might be something else behind it.

Good luck x