To have stuck up for this woman in work?

[Freeeeeeeeeeeze]

I am a supply TA (teaching assistant).
I was working in a school today with another supply TA and it was her first day at the school.
Staff in this school wear leggings and jumper usually. This woman was around early 20s and was petite. She was wearing a grey a-line skirt with a blue top that went up to her neck and black tights.

Another TA kept making comments at her. Like "you look like youre going clubbing, not working in a school".
The regular TA then couldn't work out how many 's's were in a child's name, so the supply TA said "oh his name is here and said there were 2 s's and she began to spell the name out;
The regular TA started laughing loudly and proclaiming "hahah i can spell the name, haha i dont need you to spell it for me, hahaha" and her and the teacher started laughing together.

I could see the supply TA getting really uncomfortable. I made a comment to 'stop being snidey" which resulted in an awkward atmosphere all day.

I'll be shocked if the woman comes back tomorrow.
It probably doesn't sound a big deal on here but these women were making the woman uncomfortable.

I bet the regular TA is not petite or in her 20's. Sounds like jealousy to me

I actually think saying something to these people like what PP said would be a good way to address it.

Fancy long standing staff making a young new comer feel so unwelcome, horrible show of abuse of power and they should be ashamed of themselves.

Especially as this was taking place in front of young children who need respect and kindness role modelled for them.

Feministicon, not uncommon for bitchiness and telling tales in schools and early years settings, unfortunately. A lot of the adults are far, far worse than the kids. Far.

@CremeEggThief

Feministicon, not uncommon for bitchiness and telling tales in schools and early years settings, unfortunately. A lot of the adults are far, far worse than the kids. Far.

That’s horrible, I work in secondary and it doesn’t seem so bad although the science techs at one school were needlessly vile but all the TA’s have been lovely

She sounds like she dresses nicely, not a scruffy jumper and leggings. Well done you OP

Leggings are banned at every school I’ve worked at but again purely secondary

You are a lovely person, please don't let these two toxic women change you one iota.

Supply is difficult with dresscode as some schools would never let staff wear jumpers, leggings, jeans etc. so this woman looked "normal", not as if she cane in a little black dress with her bum hanging out

@Freeeeeeeeeeeze

Supply is difficult with dresscode as some schools would never let staff wear jumpers, leggings, jeans etc. so this woman looked "normal", not as if she cane in a little black dress with her bum hanging out

😂😂😂 Now THAT would be hilarious, the regulars would probably expire from horror and glee.

You sound lovely OP, you totally did the right thing x

I would much rather a supply TA turning up dressed as she did - better to be too smart than be seen as slovenly. Well done for sticking up for her. I had some hideous days on supply where the regular staff were foul to me.

Of course you did the right thing. Do you really think anyone is going to say you were wrong?

Did the others say anything to you after your comment?

Good for you standing up for the new TA, I do think you should mention it to someone higher up they shouldn't be allowed to get away with treating people like that.

Jealousy.

@Wishimaywishimight

Of course you did the right thing. Do you really think anyone is going to say you were wrong?

Sometimes people just want to talk with others about something that happened in their day.

Well i didnt know if I was being too 'precious' but it struck a nerve and now they're in a mood with me,
Bear in mind, i'm a 50 year old lady with lots of life experience so day-to-day I just put up with them, whereas she looked very intimidated by the comments and at one point looked as though she was going to cry.

They just laughed and basically said they weren't being snidey and to take a joke

Well done!

These women are also 40s-50s so you'd expect they'd know better

That's awful

Well done for saying something.

She came dressed professionally to do a role. Obviously if it's more relaxed she'll know that for future if she returns - but like you I wouldn't blame her if she didn't.

Did the teacher and TA give her behaviour plans, communication passports etc at the beginning of the day? Because if not next time you have supply or if she returns I'd suggest fist thing they do this - make it clear from the off you aren't going to sit back again and watch bullying.

Well done, OP. They sound even worse that they insisted it was a joke (which it obviously wasn't). The poor supply teacher.

@Feministicon Yeah, that's true I guess!

"to take a joke"

Ugh; people who are being arseholes so often resort to this "take a joke" line if anyone pulls them up. Total BS, of course.

I'm glad you were kind and I hope she does come back on Monday.

You were really kind OP, well done you.