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Original poster

New colleague very anti capitalist, anti banker

35 replies

starchildmum · 07/12/2024 22:25

Hi

I have started a new position where a teacher/ my new colleague expressed strong political ( communist ) views on many occasions. ( My husband is a banker).

More concerning is that she was hostile and unkind which I would classify as bullying. She made accusations that I deleted some files although I haven’t, she disappeared out of my sight when walking me to a classroom where I was supposed to teach.I had no idea where I was supposed to go and after a few stressful moments I arrived but could not believe she would do that on purpose.

And finally she made a personal insult about my husband and expressed sympathy with aggressive communist activists who threw glass bottles on bankers in the media.
An antipathy against bankers is fine, most people are, but expressing these views in the staff room of a private school? Personal level insults? I am very concerned.

I understand that I should have started a conversation with my line manager but it understand that they have been best friends since a long time and it was pointed out to me that “he” would not help me.

However, it it my moral duty to report it as it I personally believe its unacceptable.

Would you go to the head of school?

I don’t want to make a formal complaint.
I have a 6 month contract and I am happy to leave then. But I feel that it is my moral obligation to report it. I feel the head is a very kind responsible woman and then its up to her of what to do.

Would would be your recommendation?

OP posts:
CountFucula · 07/12/2024 22:29

Did they mention your husband?
what’s the moral duty bit? Leaving you in the corridor is odd and unprofessional z.
Expressing political views to the children is not ok and contra to the Teacher Standards but simply HOLDING political views isn’t morally wrong though? Although… (if this post is real) then a communist teacher at a private school is a bit bloody much 😆

JollyHollyMe · 07/12/2024 22:31

It's not 1992, the term banker has been obsolete for years.
What does your DH actually do?

MaggieBsBoat · 07/12/2024 22:34

So this is a vocal communist working in a private school - presumably therefore teaching children who may have parents who are bankers? Ridiculous. Maybe she’s trying to take the system down from within.

I empathise with her feelings, but how does she even know your DH is a banker? Why would you tell her that? As you are there for just 6 months I would put my head down and ignore her insofar as you can. She is rude and unprofessional but this won’t change if you complain and don’t go around telling people you are married to a bloody banker in future! (Just a tip)

Cosycover · 07/12/2024 22:53

She is a communist. She wouldn't work for a private school if she was.

I'd just say that to her tbh. Wind her up.

Itissunnysomewhere · 07/12/2024 22:55

I don't tend to feel the need to tell colleagues what my husband does until I know them as friends tbh

Original poster
starchildmum · 07/12/2024 23:00

Itissunnysomewhere · 07/12/2024 22:55

I don't tend to feel the need to tell colleagues what my husband does until I know them as friends tbh

It was not my intention. She saw the name of the company he works for on my water bottle and referred to it. I took it my mistake as I could not find another one that morning. My bad.

OP posts:
Original poster
starchildmum · 07/12/2024 23:04

She supported "violent" communist activist and said its OK
I agree if just normal beliefs are find, but radical and violent and personal are not.

OP posts:
AntiHop · 07/12/2024 23:06

Righty ho.

TarantinoIsAMisogynist · 07/12/2024 23:08

When you say she left you in the corridor - did she run away or something? If you were both walking, I'm struggling to see how you could have lost her.

WinterCrow · 07/12/2024 23:09

Ah, so you took the Coutts water bottle to work instead of your own plain one? Well, we've all been there.

user1471453601 · 07/12/2024 23:10

A communist? Really? Working in a private school? I know communists have fallen before, but really?

Why do you think the teacher is a communist? Which party does she belong to?

Many people, some of them not communist, are not that keen on people you call "bankers".

InSpainTheRain · 07/12/2024 23:23

If you are there 6 months I'd ignore her, do my job and be out of there as soon as I could. No moral obligation to do anything. I would try messing with her a bit - just to wind her up. Bank golfing umbrella on play ground duty, a bank pen, mention you going to your husbands work event at [somewhere posh], that sort of thing. She is just jealous of the money.

Interlaken · 07/12/2024 23:28

really? the benefits of a banker’s salary would have these comments like water off a ducks back for me.

Can’t you just laugh along with her, without defending it, or engaging with her?

Original poster
starchildmum · 07/12/2024 23:29

I know its very odd. A lady from HR passed us and said something to me when my colluegue said to me " You can't speak now" but I still turned to the lady from HR not to be rude and responded "yes thank you". In that moment she had dissapeared.
There are several buildings with several floors and I had no idea where we were heading

OP posts:
Fourecks · 07/12/2024 23:30

She's just trying to wind you up and you're taking the bait. Stop going on about your moral duty and just laugh and point out that as a teacher at a private school, she is enabling the capitalist system and when they're done with the bankers, they will come for the private schools.

Original poster
starchildmum · 07/12/2024 23:31

Interlaken · 07/12/2024 23:28

really? the benefits of a banker’s salary would have these comments like water off a ducks back for me.

Can’t you just laugh along with her, without defending it, or engaging with her?

In theory yes, but I too have moral beliefs and a strong belief in human kindness and respect particularly as an educaror. To me its unacceptable.

OP posts:
Timetoread · 07/12/2024 23:33

Talk to the headteacher or HR if you feel it is the right thing to do, you have nothing to lose

theduchessofspork · 07/12/2024 23:39

If she's accusing you of things you didn't do or not showing you where you are meant to be, then try telling her not to be a dick, or else talk to your line manager.

Beyond that I wouldn't worry about it, she's entitled to her views. She may just be trying to wind you up, if you think it's really bullring, report it, otherwise steer clear. The fact your water bottle had a logo on it didn't mean you had to tell her what your husband did, BTW.

StormingNorman · 07/12/2024 23:46

You’re being a drama llama. Don’t give it oxygen and she’ll get bored.

CaptainMyCaptain · 07/12/2024 23:54

WinterCrow · 07/12/2024 23:09

Ah, so you took the Coutts water bottle to work instead of your own plain one? Well, we've all been there.

🤣

Lindy2 · 08/12/2024 00:10

What subject do you teach OP?

CaptainMyCaptain · 08/12/2024 06:52

Lindy2 · 08/12/2024 00:10

What subject do you teach OP?

Not English I hope.

The whole scenario sounds very odd to me.

Pumpkincozynights · 08/12/2024 07:00

Just ignore her.
People do hold different views.

Interlaken · 08/12/2024 07:14

To whom do you want to report this and why?

What would a sympathetic manager do for you? And is there nothing that you yourself can do?

What outcome are you looking for here- that she changes her opinion, or just doesn’t voice it in your hearing. In other parts of MN the phrase “Be Kind” is held in some level of contempt, it would be worth understanding how appeals to kindness are used by those who identify as virtuous to manipulate.
You are both adults and should both be able to withstand a strong opinion, robustly expressed.

My SIL is in the same position as you, and can just roll her eyes, recognize the avarice, and be grateful for her good fortune.

ribiera · 08/12/2024 07:48

She had expressed her political views which are not to your taste, and there have been two instances where she sounds odd and not particularly caring but I wouldn't say anywhere near bullying.
You don't have a moral duty to report anything.
In terms of the activism - and I say this as an employee of an investment bank - the FS industry is horribly corrupt, and everyone is entitled to their views. One man's terrorist is any other man's freedom fighter.