Bullying issues continued

[runnermum1974]

Hi

I wrote yesterday about how I am new in a team of TAs in a High School and am being bullied. I am going onto do a GTP to teach maths in September.

Anyway, it was the last day before hols today and I was warned by a well-intentioned little birdie that going forwards, I should keep quiet about being bullied (no matter how genuine). This is because I'm a low paid member of staff and if I keep complaining (no matter how genuine and painful) then I could be seen by leadership to be more trouble than I'm worth. So, if I stay after Easter, then I have to just grin and bear it.

The reason I had complained when I am being bullied is to cover my back, and if I ever need to, I have a log of incidents as evidence of consistent bullying.

I feel so naive for asking but - how else can one tackle bullying? Or is it a sad fact of life that you just put up with it?

I find it so funny that they go on to the pupils about anti-bullying policies etc. But it's a different story with the staff.

Honestly? Keep your head down, keep out of their way when possible, and praying for the weekend.

Keep your eyes on the prize, ie your gtp placement and remember, not all schools employ people less mature than the pupils.

If your placement is at this same school, I'd be jobhunting btw. Good luck

Thanks!

It's all well and good trying to stand up to bullies, but maybe it depends on the setting and people involved.

I can also see that when there is one of me and lots of them, I'm already on a losing path. And I suppose that the school would want to please the majority, even if they are in the wrong. I guess this is how bullies survive.

On a school career ladder note - how can one climb the ladder if being bullied but keeping their head down? Wouldn't the bullies opinions influence how other staff perceive the victim?

Ime, most teachers (and most people) will judge you on your reactions. I underwent some fairly dire treatment by a member of the SMT, kept my head high and my dignity intact and was the only person ever to have a surprise leaving party thrown by colleagues, with about 60% attendance (outside working hours, completely unofficial)

It's not like any of these Fuckers are writing your reference, they're the least important people there and they're bolstering their own egoes by putting Little Miss Wannabe-Teacher in her place. You'll be out in 4 months, one of which is taken up by holidays

I too have experienced this and walked out of a job because of it. I had gone down the HR route but got nowhere (except really stressed). It is far too difficult to fire anyone nowadays, and HR have no power. The victim is put under intolerable pressure to prove the case against the bully. Try to enjoy your Easter break and carry on regardless after it. Good luck.

But as you are leaving anyway, what are they going to do to you after Easter?

Bullies are foul and should be drowned in manure. Failing that, everyone should know exactly what worthless wastes of space they are.

Do not let them win. Stand up to them and kick them off the parapet. Whoever is telling you this is just doing it because they are too pathetic to stand up to the bullies themselves and wants an easy life.

I have read your other thread and think that what these bitches are doing to you is unforgivable. They are truly foul, worthless excuses for human beings.

The school is clearly somewhere you do not want to be. But, bullies thrive on people being bullied into keeping their head down. Stay strong, and use their vile heads to stomp your way to a better life, leaving them languishing in their own slime behind you.

Thanks for the advice!

What I'm most worried about now is how it looks to leadership, and I hope that I haven't burnt my bridges for complaining about my mistreatment. I know that might seem silly, but I can't know if they empathise or not (I have read about how bullies can turn the issue back on the victim and make it look like it is the victim's fault). I don't want to appear weak, even if inside I feel helpless against these bullies.

In my case, I am not the first, and I'm sure I won't be the last to be bullied by this group of bullies.

My DH says I should use this as practice in how to deal with bullies. See what works and what doesn't work.

I'm sorry I really do not understand the advice being given here. The terms of employment and codes of conduct for teaching staff and educational staff are incredibly clear and you do not have to put up with this at all.

Keep a record of any and all events in a full diary and take them to your HR (or SLT if you don't have one) with a union rep present. If you are not taken seriously then you need to go to your regional union reps for more clout.

That said you will be taken seriously and you will not be ignored for two reasons:

a) This is unacceptable in any workplace but especially in education.
b) They can not dare risk being taken to court for constructive dismissal or a hostile work environment.

At the very least consult with your union before deciding to take the terrible advice given to you by your so called friend.