I am getting absolutely sick and tired of the complete inability of our SLT to communicate. Just common courtesy, the basics of management. I'm wondering if this is an education thing, or specific to my workplace.
A few examples:
- my child was in hospital (pre-COVID) and I emailed some cover work in. I then got a reply from my HoD that didn't mention my child at all, asking that I set appropriate cover work. I was fobbed off and gaslighted when I brought up how I felt about this.
- I was signed off with stress and didn't find out my timetable had been changed until colleagues started emailing me with questions about handovers. All contact with school was initiated by me. I know they have to tread carefully with sick employees, but they were not keeping me up to date at all.
- No return to work meeting arranged after said period off work finished.
- Being told in passing that my timetable would include two subjects I'm not qualified to teach, without any specifics being given.
- Most recently: I was told off for not telling my HoD (also on SLT) that I had missed a department deadline. Fine, I should have mentioned it. To be on the safe side, I then also told her that I was quite behind with my marking (via email). I did find it a bit strange she didn't mention this to me. I've just had a phone call from HR telling me that my HoD has spoken to them and raised concerns about my well-being, especially in view of me being pregnant as well. I said I didn't feel I had more need for special provisions than anyone else and that it was just COVID admin that was taking up all my time (can't move kids around in the classroom if there are behaviour issues, but can't set detentions either, so punishment is a call/ email home, need to set work online for all pupils absent for COVID related reasons and keep track of who has (not) done it, etc) This took me two hours after school yesterday. Anyway, is it unreasonable of me to expect my HoD (who is also my line manager) to have a conversation with me first, rather than going straight to HR (also the Head's PA) and raising concerns? It's just made me feel like they think I'm not performing well enough, and this, frankly, was the first I heard of it. I'm just so annoyed that people skills do not seem to factor into decisions about promotions to leadership positions. If anything, it seems that a complete lack communication skills and an ability to gaslight is seen as an asset.
Sorry for the rant... Is every school like this or is it just mine?