Vaping at work

[Supermummy88]

Good evening all,

Not quite a AIBU, but I’m in a really difficult situation at work. I just started a new job back in October at a secondary school(I’m a teacher). It’s a nice department and I feel like I’ve settled in well. One of the other teachers who I get on well with has vaped in my classroom on an occasion. This was when there was also another member of staff in my classroom. Considering I’m new and don’t like to get involved in any work place conflict, I didn’t say anything to anyone but did advise her not to and recommended that she perhaps go outside of the school building.

However, today my line manager has told me that other members of staff have told her that this teacher has vaped in my classroom and that i now need to write up a statement confirming that she has vaped. I had no choice but to write a short statement. I also got told that she already had a verbal warning about vaping on the school premises before I had started.

She is a lovely person and very helpful…shares her resources etc. Should I talk to her and tell her about the situation and that she could perhaps get a written warning about this? And maybe let her know that I had to write a statement, or should I leave it? I’ve never been in any sort of situation like this before. I don’t want my line manager being annoyed with me either as I’ve just started here.

Thank you xxx

@deeprealisation I wish someone would tell our kids that at school...

You sound very inexperienced for someone who has been teaching for 15 years. From the tone of your posts I thought you were going to say this was your first role after qualifying

If someone came into my classroom and started vaping I would be asking them what the hell they were doing and to get out. If they want to do that then they can do it in their own room

I also wouldn’t have had an issue reporting them or giving my statement because what responsible teacher vapes in a school of all places

Regarding the come back on you for not reporting first, all you can say is 'sorry, my judgement was wrong on this , it won't happen again' presumably you made your own assessment at the time about whether what happened was OK or not something you wanted to draw attention to. Your judgement was wrong, its bitten you on the bum. Own it and move on.

this is genuinely bizarre. It was your classroom. Why didn't you tell her to get out and stop straight away. And report it. Vaping is a huge issue in some schools and that a member of staff thought this was acceptable is beyond comprehension!

I think she deserves whatever she gets if she was dumb enough to vape in a classroom. Don't feel bad OP, but you could give her a heads up if you really wanted to (I'd probably do it after and say you had been requested to do it which is true).

I just read this. She totally deserves it, even locking the door like this, let alone putting you in an awkward situation.

So a quick update…she’s come into my room saying the head teacher has said I’m the one who approached my line manager about her vaping in my room. She’s then said that the headteacher is very disappointed that I’ve lied and made out that I was approached by my line manager and that it seems like I’m playing both sides because I don’t want to look like the bad one in this. Headteacher walked past me and ignored me this morning. Honestly I’m just thinking about leaving here now because if this has happened just within my first I don’t know what else will happen. Apparently head teacher also told her that he wants to interview me about this.

Ignore her she's stirring shit and now she's been caught she's trying to take you down.

I wouldn't even talk to her any more.

She is a pathetic person and isn't worth your time.

@Tattletwat she has a good relationship with the headteacher so I don’t know what nonsense she’s told him. But he clearly thinks I’m the liar in all of this. I have been really distressed about this and now feel I’m going to be looked at in a different light. Then she came into my classroom this morning and gave me a hug and said don’t be stressed and don’t worry. Her room is opposite mine so it’s difficult for me to ignore her.

She also got a payout from the last school she worked at because she was treated unfairly etc and they caused her to have mental health issues so she took legal action against them and won. She’s now saying that our line manager broke confidentiality rules because she’s not allowed to talk about members of staff to anyone.

@Tattletwat I absolutely agree. I would be furious.

I'm sorry but if you have 15 years experience why the hell did you get drawn into nonsense instead of reporting gross misconduct straight away. I mean come on!

@GrammarTeacher I know, totally my fault. I just don’t know what I was thinking not saying anything. I feel like I’ve totally messed up!

You have. None of this makes sense. This wouldn't happen in Waterloo Rd. It's not the 50s. Staff don't do that. I have never heard anything like this in over 20 years as a teacher. It is ridiculous.
If it's true this needs escalating further. It is ridiculous.

@GrammarTeacher this is exactly why I’ve posted. I’ve never experienced anything like it before. Line manager has said she’s been taking advantage as I’m new and don’t really know many members of staff here. But apparently the head has told her a different story and said I’m the one who approached line manager about this.

But none of this makes sense. Seriously, if this is true you must go to the governors. It's utterly ridiculous.

@GrammarTeacher what doesn’t make sense? I am baffled that the head teacher hasn’t done anything about it as it’s the second time it’s happened September…that’s what doesn’t make sense to me!

That doesn't make sense and someone vaping in a classroom makes no sense

She's lying. Submit a grievance about her, as she's trying to intimidate and threaten you.

She’s also asked me again today if headteacher has spoken to me. I’ve decided if he wants to speak to me and confront me, I will walk out with immediate effect. I have already told him what happened yday before this teacher spoke to him. After she spoke to him he wants to see me again.

If my headteacher spoke to me about an incident I would just confirm what happened and who was there.
All this talk of people walking out or leaving is all very melodramatic. It's unprofessional and you have a contract as does she.
I would do nothing and see what pans out.
You appear to be taking her word for everything.
Just teach and get on with the job.

Why is it a “delicate situation”. Surely it’s pretty obvious that teachers shouldn’t be vaping in schools. If she decides to be idiotic, that’s her look out 🤷‍♀️

That's really over dramatic and it reflects badly on you. If you go storming out you will definitely be looked at as though you've done something wrong.

It would be much better to have a formal conversation or even send an email explaining your thoughts. I feel like you're really making this (or allowing her to make you make this) into a huge drama when it really needn't be.

Next time she brings it up just say you're done talking about it and don't wish to discuss it again

The head is more likely to want to speak to you to find out whether she's harassing you (which she is) than bollock you for picking on his 'friend'.

She'd love it if you walked out in panic, though, as she'd claim it meant you'd made it all up - and is exactly why she's intimidating you now.

If this is real and tbh I have serious doubts you need to act a lot more professional.

You cannot avoid this teacher but if she mentions anything about the incident say that it is better that it is not discussed.

If you get called into the Headmaster holding your hands up and say that you should have told her to stop and reported her. However be clear with him that it was not you who approached your manager but the other person and that you want that fact documented.

@@purplecorkheart of course it’s real. I have had a lot of anxiety over this for the past few days, hence why I’m posting on here. I wouldn’t be wasting my time for no reason. Yes I will hold my hands up and tell him that I was approached about it. However, he’s told her that it was me that approached my line manager about it. As a professional head teacher he shouldn’t have told her anything at all! He knew she had vaped before in a classroom and still took time out to listen to her side of the story