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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be really cross about this feedback I’ve received at work today?

122 replies

BiscoffAddict · 11/06/2021 19:35

I’m a teaching assistant and am working on supply via an agency at the moment. It’s obviously been a tough year but most schools are just glad of the help. This week I’ve been working everyday at an Infant school. They seemed lovely, I was only supposed to be there four days but they asked me to do an extra day. Of course I was happy to help. Today as I left the teacher thanked me profusely and said she hoped she’d see me again soon.

I then get home to a message from the agency asking me to ring them and it turns out that the school had some ‘concerns’ about me. Apparently there had been ‘incident’, which I have no recollection of where I told a child with additional needs to stop dancing during circle time. They also accused me of using my phone whilst in the classroom, which I couldn’t have done because my phone was in my bag in the cupboard!

I was and still am absolutely gobsmacked! They were so nice to my face, and I came away thinking what a lovely week it had been.I just can’t get my head around it. This has never happened before ever, and even my account manager admitted she didn’t understand it because I always get good feedback and no one has ever had a problem with me before.

The whole thing has left me reeling and actually and I’m really fucking fuming! I can’t understand why they didn’t talk to me directly if they were unhappy with my work? I also don’t understand why they kept me for the whole week?

AIBU to be furious about it!

OP posts:

PandemicAtTheDisco · 12/06/2021 00:02

I was publicly praised for doing well and used as an example for others to copy as a role model. Someone made false accusations about two weeks later. It was investigated - nothing determined either way - but I got the impression everyone thought it was just sour grapes.

I'd had no previous criticism despite constant monitoring. Others had got negative feedback. It wasn't nice to be lied about.

allamelli · 12/06/2021 00:16

Do you have a steps app on your phone? You can probably show which hours the phone was with you and which weren't if you really want to make the point It might help you with the agency but sounds like you're done with that school..

Gottagobuffalo · 12/06/2021 00:22

My first teaching placement was like this.
Spent 6 weeks with a yr1 teacher, thought we'd become friendly, I'd had lots of positive feedback throughout and had had a great time.

The last day the deputy takes me and the other student to one side for a meeting, I presumed it was to reflect on our placement and say goodbye etc. Nope. Apparently we had been heard bitching about the year 1 teacher throughout the entire 6 weeks and the deputy had informed our course leader before we were even made aware.

I'm not unprofessional in any way and would never, ever do that. We genuinely never criticised anything, we followed advice and talked about normal things at lunch etc. They couldn't give an example of anything that had been said.

I was absolutely gutted, I should have been furious but literally couldn't believe what I'd been accused of.

There are some absolute bat shit crazy people teaching in schools.

grapewine · 12/06/2021 00:22

@Topseyt

I think this should be challenged and I don't understand why you are not going to.

If I was accused like that of stuff I simply didn't do then no way would I just roll over and let it happen. It makes no sense at all. If the school were unhappy with you then surely they wouldn't have invited you to come back for an additional day

It just doesn't add up at all. Someone may well have cocked up somewhere along the line. Even if they haven't, blatant lies are malicious and should be challenged.

This. I don't understand either. No one would blatantly lie about my work performance unchallenged.

Yaya26 · 12/06/2021 01:20

That’s absolutely terrible of the school. Prob my kids school. 🤣 you seem to have to be an absolute dipstick to work there. What would the principal have to gain by giving negative untrue feedback?

quizqueen · 12/06/2021 01:52

The phone thing is strange because you say it wasn't true but, even if you had told someone off for dancing in circle time, what's wrong with that? Circle time is for sitting and listening.

Wingedharpy · 12/06/2021 02:43

Odd, OP.
Very odd.
If you were so awful, why did the school ask you to work an extra day?

TriteMale · 12/06/2021 03:16

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

agonyauntie2020 · 12/06/2021 03:50

OP: I'm really cross and gobsmacked about being accused of two things I definitely did not do
Everyone on MN: Don't accept this/don't let it go on your record/here's a lot of suggestions for how to challenge it
OP: I'm not going to do anything I just won't go back.

Sure, OP that you didn't do either of those things? Maybe on your phone in class just one day for one time? If you're so sure not, why not challenge the feedback?

OccaChocca · 12/06/2021 07:27

@JesusWeptonaBike

The OP has already said she was the only supply at the school this week so it was definitely about her....

Well, if she is telling the truth and she really didn't do it then it's not definitely about her and someone either has the wrong school/person or they are lying.

I would have to get to the bottom of this. It might just be a simple oversight. It might be that someone is lying. If it's the latter, I wouldn't engage further and, if it came up in conversation with other people, I would make it clear that I hadn't been treated particularly well.

Generally, agencies have no scruples and aren't known for their professionalism. If I had to hedge my bets, I would put my money on them.

People are very odd. Sadly, it helps to take everyone at face value. It took me a long time to learn this.

RAOK · 12/06/2021 07:48

Definitely do not go back there.

You do need to challenge it via the agency as saying you were on your phone during teaching time is accusing you of breaching safeguarding protocols which is potentially very serious. They are not just accusing you of being unprofessional, which I know in itself is upsetting enough.

Iggly · 12/06/2021 07:51

OP if you’re that bothered then absolutely challenge it. I don’t understand why you wouldn’t challenge it to be honest.

Your agency could have got it wrong.

AwaAnBileYerHeid · 12/06/2021 08:03

@OccaChocca

Why are you furious? It wasn't you. You didn't tell the child off and you didn't use your phone in the classroom. They clearly have the wrong person.

Did you not challenge it with the agency?

I think I live in a parallel universe when I read Mumsnet sometimes. Please grow a spine.

Because regardless if it wasn't her, there is now a blemish on her record which can impact on her getting further work, along with questioning her professionalism.

Original poster

BiscoffAddict · 12/06/2021 08:05

Morning guys, I’ve taken on board everything you’ve all said and have slept on it and I’ve decided I’m going to challenge it. I can’t leave it like this, it’s just not on. Yesterday I was so gobsmacked I didn’t really know what to say in response but now I’ve had time to process it I know I can’t let it go unchallenged. I will say that I did point out it was wrong to the agency and I do feel they believed me.

OP posts:

SmellThis · 12/06/2021 08:05

Working in a school you should be in a union. Contact them and let them deal with it

Happymum12345 · 12/06/2021 08:27

Sadly, many people take some sort of pleasure out on saying horrible things true, or untrue, about others to make themselves feel good - have a sad sense of power. I’m sorry this has happened to you.

MaMelon · 12/06/2021 08:29

@BiscoffAddict I think you’re doing the right thing. Good luck

Original poster

BiscoffAddict · 12/06/2021 08:31

@SmellThis

Working in a school you should be in a union. Contact them and let them deal with it

I’ve considered joining a union, but I’m agency so they’d do bugger all sadly.

OP posts:

Nitgel · 12/06/2021 08:34

I would definitely challenge. Good luck op.

SmokeyDevil · 12/06/2021 08:36

Dunno how agency works for the organisation hiring the staff, but are they trying to get a reduction in the cost of you because you did a 'bad job'? So even if they had mother theresa in, they'd still find a way to complain and say she was nasty to get a discount?

stackemhigh · 12/06/2021 08:36

@BiscoffAddict

You’re doing the right thing.

If you don’t challenge it there will always be a bitterness there that they got away without even a challenge and human beings being what they are, they will think they were right about you all along.

katrina11 · 12/06/2021 08:58

The National Education Union supports agency staff neu.org.uk/

toocold54 · 12/06/2021 09:55

There’s a big difference between challenging something as you really don’t think it happened and making a big fuss over nothing.
I’d probably check with the agency first exactly what was said and when they were meant to happen and then ring the school.

It may be that they have a no phones policy but I’d be shocked if you can’t go on it at break time. But even if that is the case then they should have said something there and then and not just give bad feedback.

poppycat10 · 12/06/2021 10:00

Glad you are going to challenge it OP - and it's still worth joining a union as supply - they deal with worker issues as well as employee issues.

All you need to do is call the school on Monday and ask to speak to the HT and enquire if the feedback was meant to be for you or someone else, as you think it's a case of mistaken identity as you did neither of the things complained of. You'll know a lot by how they respond.

poppycat10 · 12/06/2021 10:01

(I know HTs aren't available just like that before I get flamed, you can also ask to speak to the DHT or another SMT member when they have a minute or ask for a call back otherwise)

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