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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Should I whistle blow?

31 replies

FedUp111 · 18/06/2021 17:08

Just that really. I work in a school and I'm just sick of all the shitty treatment that support staff get. The head of school is a sleazy old man who makes inappropriate comments about peoples bodies, he flirts with quite a few women and when it comes to recruitment he doesn't employ according to best candidate but employs women who he has 'banter' with. A few of the people he has said crude comments to have said they dont like it but the others play along with it and seem to enjoy the perks of it, such as leaving early or even being offered other posts with out being interviewed.

I am currently looking for a new job as the whole place is effecting me and a few others mentally.

Should I whistle blow or should I suck it up and leave.

If so who do I complain to? Governors?

OP posts:
MissCruellaDeVil · 18/06/2021 17:16

Yes whistle blow! Report to the governors or LEA. If it's an academy, the trust. You could also go through HR.

Fangsalot89 · 18/06/2021 17:18

I’d say something but do you have specifics of comments so we can gauge what’s being said?

Whitchurch · 18/06/2021 17:20

Yes. Hopefully you belong to a union and can speak to them for support in raising a grievance against the head, or you can speak to whoever is the HR support provider for the school. Failing that join a union, wait probably a month then raise the grievance. "Speak to the governors/LA" isn't the right course of action at this stage.

Get hold of the staff grievance policy and have a read.

ScabbyHorse · 18/06/2021 18:16

Yes, look at the policy there should be a whistleblower policy on the school website. That will tell you who to inform.

Original poster
FedUp111 · 18/06/2021 18:37

@Fangsalot89

Dont want to be too outing, as theres a few of my colleagues on here.

To me personally, he once asked me why I needed to BF my baby, I was then forced to explain what happened to my breasts when I didn't and they became full, i felt so overwhelmed and remember getting home and crying to my health visitor. He could have totally avoided this conversation. He has also asked me why I needed to go to for a smear test.

Comments to other female staff include things like , 'the curves on your body look nice', 'your dress fits your body nicely'. They may not seem like the most sleazy comments however he eyeballs people up and down and stares. The women hes said it to have also said they felt uneasy. In a normal situation you'd say fuck off pervert! but this is our boss, a married man who has grown up children. And we are
We are at the bottom of the hierarchy and easily disposable.

OP posts:
EnfieldRes · 18/06/2021 18:41

You'll probably get lots of colleagues and ex staff side with you and back you up, once the hard bit of bringing it up has happened. Do it.
And the Union should offer you advice and support too.

catsareme14 · 18/06/2021 18:42

Just a warning . I whistle blew at my LEA setting . Policies were ignored & Lea tryed to cover up . It was grim . Went to a full hearing where they could not find anyone who would make a decision on the case . We were all re deployed . I eventually found out that HR were castigated but really the whole thing was a cover up . Loads of evidence to prove my case too .

Original poster
FedUp111 · 18/06/2021 18:42

@Whitchurch

I am with GMB and if I'm honest they haven't been very good. I went to the union regarding an issue over a year ago and I'm still waiting for an outcome.

Will look in to obtaining the grievance policy, thank you.

OP posts:
DrinkFeckArseBrick · 18/06/2021 18:44

I wouldnt whistleblow in your position, no. Its easy for people to say but they won't ne bullied out of a job. Will anyone else back you up do you think or will you be hung out to dry?
He isnt going to change and magically become a nicer person and unless enough people speak up or there is proof (something in writing or witnesses who are prepared to confirm your version) it's your word against his.

I'd write down everything you can remember, keep a record going forward, get another job then tell the governors why you left

catsareme14 · 18/06/2021 18:44

Oh & don't assume other staff will support you . When there own jobs are affected people will fence sit or fade away . I learnt a lot , mainly that the truth & loyalty matters not a jot .

LadyMaid · 18/06/2021 18:45

I would report it to ofsted anonymously.

MingeofDeath · 18/06/2021 18:47

Don't whistleblow. Despite what an organisation's policies say, whistleblowers ALWAYS suffer and their lives are made hell.

Original poster
FedUp111 · 18/06/2021 18:49

@catsareme14

How frustrating Angry

OP posts:
tentosix · 18/06/2021 18:50

Line another job up, then whistle blow if you can. This is appalling and is making the staff demoralised and demotivated. The staff and children deserve better

Original poster
FedUp111 · 18/06/2021 18:54

@catsareme14

Oh & don't assume other staff will support you . When there own jobs are affected people will fence sit or fade away . I learnt a lot , mainly that the truth & loyalty matters not a jot .
YES! you are so right about this. Fucks me off so much when people do this.
OP posts:
Whitchurch · 18/06/2021 18:55

@LadyMaid

I would report it to ofsted anonymously.
They won't be interested. Have a look at their website if you don't agree with me.
Original poster
FedUp111 · 18/06/2021 18:57

@LadyMaid
Can I? even though it's not really relating to the children specifically.

OP posts:
catsareme14 · 18/06/2021 19:01

@ Mingeofdeath
Very frustrating! Policies & procedures mean nothing especially in LEA settings . Yes I'm cynical, I wasn't until my case which involved cruelty to the children in our care . My confidence & faith in truth was shattered . I would not be that naive again .

Original poster
FedUp111 · 18/06/2021 19:01

@tentosix

I've been applying to other jobs and have an interview lined up. It's a complete career change, which is a real shame as I do love my current job just not the people running it.

OP posts:
Bumzoo · 18/06/2021 19:09

Your other colleagues will vanish when asked to back you up.

Also if people ask about breast feeding just ask why they need to know? Head tilt.

goldfinchfan · 18/06/2021 19:12

OP when he asks personal questions about your body you really do not have to answer him.

Tell him it is a private personal issue that would be uncomfortable and inappropariate to have with a male.
He knows why you need a smear ......it is a health check that is all.

WHy you need to breastfeed is a personal decision you do not want to discuss at work.

He sounds like a relic from the seventies. yuk

RantyAnty · 18/06/2021 19:16

secretly record him and anonymously leak to the media.

Orf1abc · 18/06/2021 19:16

This would be a grievance, not whistle blowing (in the legal sense). There's more information as to what counts as a protected disclosure in this link.

www.gov.uk/whistleblowing

I'd agree that you shouldn't be surprised if others don't back you up. Whilst you should report it, the outcome may not be what you're looking for.

AnneElliott · 18/06/2021 19:19

Agree that you record him and send it to the papers. Obviously after you've handed your notice in!

Bluetrews25 · 18/06/2021 19:21

Never whistleblow on a manager.
IME you will be bullied out, with full HR approval, and any wrongdoing will be covered up or ignored.
Just leave.
It's wrong, but that's how it goes.