Workplace dilemmas FAQs

“Workplace Dilemmas” as they are termed on TES forums are so commonplace in teaching so as to warrant an entire forum dedicated to them. There are countless teachers who are experiencing a crisis at work that threatens their future in the profession as well as their sanity.

It makes for depressing reading, although some comfort is found in the fact that a lot of the complaints are very similar, i.e. you are not alone. These are the most common dilemmas, as well as some accompanying advice.

Student teacher, no support, bullied, failing placement

Contact regional representative of union

Report to university but expect no support

Ask that everything be referenced to proper standards – don’t allow personal/irrelevant criticisms onto written documents

Most likely outcome: repeat placement, graduate later

NQT, workload too high, bullied, failing assessment, changing schools

Contact regional representative of union

Ask that everything be referenced to proper standards – don’t allow personal/irrelevant criticisms onto written documents

Look for other jobs, negotiate an agreed reference.

Most likely outcome: supply, eventual permanent post, extension on NQT

Established teacher, not getting easier, mental health issues

Go to your GP, follow their advice

Try and cut corners with no one noticing

Look for other jobs, negotiate an agreed reference

Most likely outcome: find a nicer place to work or change career

Very experienced teacher, too expensive, being bullied out

Contact regional representative of union

Go to your GP, follow their advice and request visits to occupational health

Beware of traps and manufactured evidence

Most likely outcome: early retirement or downgrading to a different job

Middle management or SMT (not head), punching bag for head

Be assertive and just don’t allow it

Look for other jobs, negotiate an agreed reference

Beware of traps and manufactured evidence

Most likely outcome: find a nicer place to work

This is all very basic and very general advice, meant to simply highlight your first points of call in a situation. Additional action should be taken as appropriate to your case, and each one will be different. If you think I can help, please email me, but I’m no substitute for the other ports of call. At least you know it’s not only happening to you, and that you fall into a group of teachers who are all being persecuted in the same way.