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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think this is an unusual trait to list in job advert

123 replies

Snowandsparkles12 · 24/12/2022 08:29

Under desirable there's a bullet point for sense of humour? The post is based in a secondary school.

Aibu to think this is an odd thing to list and didn't come across as professional?

OP posts:
TeenDivided · 24/12/2022 08:32

I think that would be very helpful in a school.
Teens do idiot things. Surely better to be able to see the light side than getting over stressed?
(Thinking of Oh George wondered what would happen if .... scenarios).

LivIoe · 24/12/2022 08:33

I hate it once for a primary school, and the interview including a formal question session with the school council.

It annoyed me to be honest, and I ended up for a number of reasons not taking the job

TeenDivided · 24/12/2022 08:36

Also, possibly depends on the role? Head of maths, maybe unnecessary. Pastoral role or office reception then maybe yes.

Readabookgroucho · 24/12/2022 08:37

Don’t apply - you clearly don’t have a sense of humour.

Middersweekly · 24/12/2022 08:37

Likely because secondary school children use some very colourful language and can also be quite cheeky! A teacher with no sense of humor probably wouldn’t make it in that environment!

Luredbyapomegranate · 24/12/2022 08:38

It’s fine / sensible.

Not unprofessional at all. although if you think it is it’s probably not the place for you.

CactusFlowers · 24/12/2022 08:42

I’d say it was quite useful if working with teens.

birdling · 24/12/2022 08:44

I think you need a sense of humour to work in any school!

UmbilicusProfundus · 24/12/2022 08:44

I actually agree with you OP, I don’t think that is something I would expect in a job advert for a school

CleopatrasBeautifulNose · 24/12/2022 08:44

Brilliant. I would think the culture they are wishing to cultivate at the school was good for mental health of pupils and staff and would immediately apply.
It didn't stipulate what kind of sense of humour so to me suggests they want to encourage a generally positive environment.
I would like you to apply just so you can report back on whether this take on it was accurate, or it turned out the head was cult member of latest well-being fad. 😁

Montague22 · 24/12/2022 08:49

I think it’s fine. I can totally see why it’s there.

AtomicBlondeRose · 24/12/2022 08:53

You’ve definitely needed a strong sense of humour for any of the schools/colleges I’ve worked in. One department had a very “robust” approach to pretty much everything and if you had no sense of humour you’d have found it a very difficult place to work. As it was the shared camaraderie, “banter” (hate that word but that’s what it was), mild mickey-taking and dark humour got us through some challenging times.

Snowandsparkles12 · 24/12/2022 08:56

TeenDivided · 24/12/2022 08:36

Also, possibly depends on the role? Head of maths, maybe unnecessary. Pastoral role or office reception then maybe yes.

Yes it's a pastoral admin role

OP posts:
Sugarbeaches · 24/12/2022 08:59

That is code for the behaviour is challenging! I would be giving it a swerve!

Krakenwakes · 24/12/2022 09:01

I wouldn’t like it. It might read as code for a bullying “it was just a joke” culture, or an excuse for poor management and processes.

Phineyj · 24/12/2022 09:01

When I was younger I asked my dad why this was sometimes included in job ads.

He said "it means you'll need one."

PrimroseYello · 24/12/2022 09:03

I’d understand it to mean “ability to keep your sense of humour when things are difficult” rather than that they want you to be cracking gags all the time.

Snowandsparkles12 · 24/12/2022 09:04

There's a separate job advert on my county police job website for a similar role but not in a school. The advert no where states you need a sense of humour.......I mean I can have a laugh but as someone else said is this code for a toxic work environment where "it was just a joke" is actually not a nice environment to work in

They were my thoughts anyway

OP posts:
Sugarbeaches · 24/12/2022 09:05

I honestly don’t think it will be due to the culture of the staff. I think it will be because the students are wild. Have a look at the OFSTED and see if the behaviour tallies up with it.

SomeSix · 24/12/2022 09:08

Sounds like something that would be impossible to accurately assess at recruitment. One person's sense of humour could be very different to another's.
Snacks of that bring your whole-self to work horseshit.

BertieBotts · 24/12/2022 09:09

I don't think it means banter, I think it means that it's really chaotic and you have to have a "laugh or I'll cry" mindset to cope there.

Whether that's due to poor management or (probably in this case) challenging behaviour from the pupils and/or parents.

Ban · 24/12/2022 09:10

I've seen sense of humour in job adverts before. It's ridiculous - who doesn't think they have a sense of humour.

Also team player 🙄

Snowandsparkles12 · 24/12/2022 09:10

Sugarbeaches · 24/12/2022 09:05

I honestly don’t think it will be due to the culture of the staff. I think it will be because the students are wild. Have a look at the OFSTED and see if the behaviour tallies up with it.

Oh yep..... just done a quick check. Leadship is inadequate! Behaviour and attitude- requires improvement, quality of education- requires improvement

OP posts:
BertieBotts · 24/12/2022 09:11

Bingo.

Dotcheck · 24/12/2022 09:12

Well, if you’re over thinking it, and making assumptions/ getting offended then I reckon it isn’t for you.

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