Formal disciplinary investigation

[RKWright]

I’ve been suspended on full pay pending investigation. I can’t go into specifics for obvious reasons. A brief outline:

• My husband and I were sent a lot of messages on social media by multiple accounts (too many to keep track of) over the span of about six months
• Messages were exchanged with one of the accounts. In November I realised that one of the accounts that messaged me may have been a student and informed the DSL immediately
• I submitted the screen shots from the account confirmed to be a student (an account that sent and harassing messages), as per the request of HT and DSL. I did not submit screen shots from the other multiple accounts, including the one messages were exchanged with (I didn’t have access to these at the time and still don’t)
• The DSL told me they have informed the LADO
• The HT informed me a formal disciplinary investigation had been launched because they believed I knew all along all messages exchanged with one of the many accounts were being exchanged with a student and I deliberately didn’t submit these messages

I discussed the issue with a member of staff before it became an investigation. I haven’t had contact regarding the investigation in line with the investigation/school policy since being suspended/being informed there’s is a formal disciplinary investigation.

During my interview as part of the investigation I mentioned how a few aspects have been mishandled by the school (DSL for example).

The member of staff mentioned above has since spoken to me and said “what I’m hearing isn’t good” and said a member of SLT we both know well has told them:

• I am not returning to work at all
• A supply is being hired for at least six weeks (I had been informed by the investigator and/or my headteacher that as this is a minor issue it will be dealt with promptly and I will be back to work within a couple of weeks)
• Something is delaying the investigation process
• She thinks I am being manipulated by my husband through the investigation process. I.e he is leading the investigation from my part/what to say etc
• My husband is encouraging me to discredit other people who have in some way contributed to the investigation

The member of staff who spoke to me also said :

• Other colleagues have made similar statements
• These member of staff are two other members of SLT
• The members of SLT say I won’t be back until Easter (7-8 weeks)

The issue I’ve been suspended for is incredibly minor. I was initially not going to be suspended during the investigation but I raised some concerns with the HT/DSL and they reviewed the decision to suspend me.

I don’t know how the aforementioned member of SLT knows anything. When I was suspended I was told by the HT ‘no one will have any idea why you’ve been off’.

I have no idea how that member of SLT knows any specifics of what was said in the investigation meeting. In the meeting I did raise how some aspects of the investigation had been mishandled/bias.

I’m really concerned that there are/will be rumours regarding why I’m away and wondering if there’s anything I can do at this time.

The note taker at my interview was a member of HR but the entire meeting was meant to be external so the investigation would be fair and impartial.

I’m unsure of how the SLT member talked about above knows any specifics/even the fact I’ve been suspended. Does anyone know if it’s standard for all members of SLT to be informed if someone is undergoing an investigation?

As for the reference to me not being back until Easter (7-8 weeks), is this normal for a supposed minor investigation? How worried should I be?

[TeenDivided]

Suggest you get this moved to The Staffroom or legal.

[Karwomannghia]

Go to your union.

[Meem321]

When I was doing my teacher training, we had a talk from the police . They told about how they had dealt with two separate incidents of female teachers being suspended because their school laptops had been used to access underage porn. Neither woman was aware of what had happened. Basically it was a talk highlighting the importance of not sharing work devices at home, but it has stuck with me.

With regards to SLT all knowing about your situation, yes I'd imagine it is pretty standard. It's like an old boys' club in SLT.

I hope you have union representation?

[Misknit]

It seems your husband received messages too? Who responded to these accounts, you or your husband? It's the first thing we teach staff about social media. Make your accounts private, if you have them and don't engage with anyone you don't know and tell family members to similarly not add anyone they don't know.

The fact that they think you are being influenced by your husband and it sounds from your op he was part of the communications that were responded is concerning. He's not the one with the Enhanced DBS.

Are you in a local authority school or a MAT? What has your union advised?

[RKWright]

Husband received messages too. To both of us there were multiple messages from multiple accounts - like I said way too many to keep track of.

My husband responded to one of the accounts but typed on my account (he was a lot more curious/I just brushed it off as spam).

Yes my husband doesn’t even work in education - I’m feeling really violated by the fact that SLT are disclosing/discussing details of the investigation with regular teaching staff.

Union hasn’t advised much. Just been present during meetings and asked me not to respond to anything before seeking advice from them first. Union rep brushes off anything I say about any bias in the investigation.

All my accounts are/were private and have been since. As far as I can recall we have always been told to be ‘weary’ on social media and told to keep account private.

[RKWright]

Thanks, have done

[Christmaspyjamas]

It's really going to come down to what was said in those messages and your replies.

Why can't you provide all the messages?

I'd ignore what your contact says...a professional person wouldn't have had that conversation with you so just discount it.

I'd concentrate on providing all messages from and to all accounts.

Concealing anything is going to look bad and put the school in a position where they have to assume the worst.

Does your husband control you?

[Ionacat]

The school will have decided to suspend you or not on LADO advice. I can’t imagine the investigating staff member or HR have said anything, but the reality is that people talk and speculate. There’s not much you can, except hope that the right people shut it down very quickly. Investigations take time and have to be done on top of day to day work - you want them to be thorough.

I know you’re being vague about the messages and that you don’t have access to them or accounts but it sounds like you need them or you need to ask someone in tech to help you. (Although if it’s Snapchat then you may be stuck.)

[Meem321]

Any updates, OP? Hope you're ok

[Christmaspyjamas]

@Meem321

Any updates, OP? Hope you're ok

It looked very much as if OP wasn't being transparent about communications sent by partner. I doubt the outcome was good and her focus on the behaviour of others rather than closer to home was a massive red flag.

[Meem321]

@Christmaspyjamas yes true. OP seemed a bit too naïve ... More concerned about being the subject of gossip rather than the real issue which was husband contacting students using her accounts.

Still, I would be interested in an update, and really do hope she has union representation.