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.

@Wishimaywishimight

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

My thoughts exactly.

When I did supply I’d always dress smart if it was somewhere I’d never been before, because some schools have different dress codes. It can really vary. For example, the school I work in now allows staff to wear jeans and trainers, but in a lot of other places that would be a huge no, no.

Wish, quite often in schools it's the staff who try to do the right thing by and for everyone who get the cold shoulder or blame, and unfortunately, workplace bullying in some schools is seen almost as the norm, so I can certainly understand why Freeeeeeeeze was wondering if she was right to get involved in the first place. Most school staff hear and see a lot of poor treatment of other members of staff in schools, but often choose not to get involved, so well done to Freeeeeze.

Well done Op.

They were bullying. Well done on pulling them up for it.

They sound a bit thick and like they need to have a comment for everything, I mean what kind of person has to announce they don’t know how to spell a name and doesn’t even know at this stage in the year and then blames the new person for exposing their stupidity?

That was rotten behaviour from people who should no better. I have had fantatstic supply psa and awful supply psa. No matter what they are treated with respect and are supported to do the job. (you actually wouldn't be safe in my room in a tight skirt but we would sort something). I hate when people think it's ok to make others feel small. Everyone one brings postitive things and new ideas, for adults and kids school should be safe and encourage us to share these ideas.
Well done op I hope your support helped her and you are def. the better person.

Good for you OP. They deserved to be called out. It’s a bit unprofessional if all this went on if front of the school kids. It should be reported.... is this how it all the time when new staff come to work at the school?

Tbh i've noticed a pattern that they welcome similarly-aged supply staff with open arms, but for some reason young supply staff are given the cold shoulder

Good for you OP. They deserved to be called out. It’s a bit unprofessional if all this went on if front of the school kids. It should be reported

This.

Good on you. I'd report it to the head too.

@Freeeeeeeeeeeze

Tbh i've noticed a pattern that they welcome similarly-aged supply staff with open arms, but for some reason young supply staff are given the cold shoulder

Maybe they find younger ones less likely to stand up for themselves & therefore easier to bully?

The only thing I might think is that having already said the number of esses in the name it wasn't necessary to also spell it?

That said, sounds as if anything she did/said would have been picked on if possible.

YANBU. I'd say a skirt and top was the right thing to go in as supply staff, most places have a dress code and leggings would only be allowed on days if you were teaching PE and not at any other time.

It's always young women who get the weird remarks about clothes! Bet they wouldn't have said that if she were in her 30s or older.

When I was about 17, an older woman at work told me I was so "skinny and pale" that I looked like I was "going to die". Lovely.

Jealous. Poor girl. I've seen this before in workplaces, and was on the receiving end of it as a 17 year old in my first summer job.

You have to pity these women really.

Well done you !
Calling out bullies in the moment AND in front on the victim - Bravo !!

I wish more people were like you, op.

Agree well done OP

@forrestgreen

You were a lovely person

Yes indeed.

Who gives a flying f* what the woman wears as long as she is suitably covered. Her outfit sounds fine to me - certainly not what you would wear to go out clubbing.

New members of staff should always be made welcome and to feel comfortable in my opinion.

Well done, there are enough mean minded spiteful women in the workplace (men too but we're talking women here).

I like people like you. In fact, I love people like you.

@Freeeeeeeeeeeze

Tbh i've noticed a pattern that they welcome similarly-aged supply staff with open arms, but for some reason young supply staff are given the cold shoulder

They see them as easier to bully.

Good for you commenting, that was the right thing to do.

Well done you! What bitches, treating someone like that on their first day (or any day).

I used to volunteer in GSs school. I found the teachers lovely, very welcoming and appreciative, the TAs much less so, particularly the Queen B. I'm old enough that I didn't let it get to me but I found them really unpleasant.

I hope they haven't dented her confidence. Bullying is such a horrible thing.

Power trip for them. I'd warn the agency about problem characters, at least they can give people a heads up.