h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Someone, it seems, is lurking and yikesing things that are nothing to do with them.

How utterly, utterly devoid of pleasure their life must be if that's how they get their rocks off.

Anyway, the post simply said that the school has deleted my work email account, which is a pretty huge mistake one way or another.

Then I used an unflattering but perfectly non-swearing word about the school.

sounds like the desision to give you the push has been made, before the discp. proceedure is compleate, make a note of this as it could be vital in a tribunal, showing they did not follow the proceedure fully.

No, I know they're not going to fire me, at least not yet.

And I don't credit these guys with the intelligence they were born with, but even they wouldn't leave themselves open to something this big.

Unless, of course, I've misjudged them. In which case: I'm in the money, I'm in the money

My school email account has come back up, which is good.

Less good is its contents, I've got three emails complaing how three big projects that I fought for, tooth and nail are getting ruined because the school isn't giving them the time or attention they need.

One of these projects I helped set up in my old job, so I'm pretty attached to it. And it means that if I do go back, I'll be cleaning up a load of mess and trying to clear the ruins.

I worked like a *dog* from the start of term until I was suspended, even after the attack and distractions caused by interviews. I thought I could at least rely on people to keep things alive, a tiny bit of maintenance, but apparently not.

I'm beginning to understand why my school is one of the worst in the country. I used to assume it had a really rough intake and a hard deal, but that's not it as neighbouring schools do somewhat better. It is simply the case that the staff don't give a .

no date for a meeting or something ?

I'm in on Thursday to receive my slap on the wrist and (I assume) talk about the next step.

Still here, still reading, still nothing useful to say... I wish that weren't the case.

The meeting went surprisingly well; I kept my cool and did a good job convincing them of how sorry I am.

I start back tomorrow, though I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not. I guess I'll find that out tomorrow.

And a choice needs to be made over whether I want to pursue the school over how badly they've treated me but at the moment I just want to enjoy the novel feeling of not fighting.

get your feet back under the table and some constructive work undr your belt before pursuing the school, or even hinting at it

the guy who insulted you that started this discipline proceedure, what exactly did he say to you???

He was making jokes about the lads who hospitalised me, because jokes after a major attack like that are hilarious.

were you offended by it and was it "abusive toward you"???

the next step might be to make an official complaint about him, give him a bit of payback, and see how the school treats him, if he gets different treatment itwill be 'unfair' and will strengthen your case against the school

It must be such a relief to have the pressure off, I can understand the strong temptation to do nothing. Talking with your lawyer friend and keeping note of stress-inducing comments (or comments that take the pee) about a traumatic experience does however seem a minimum. Such comments are IMO a form of harassment and the school seems to be tacitly approving such conduct.

You said that you were on a short-term contract anyway. Is the school just waiting until they can get rid of you hassle-free?

If you're thinking about taking them to court, it's for monetary damages basically. Have you discussed your case with a no-win no-fee lawyer? I should think such a lawyer would have a reasonable idea of your chances (I guess that's how they choose cases). Then again your lawyer friend probably has an idea as well.

You never said whether the police were still encouraging you to avoid the school. It might be appropriate to advise them of the situation.

Whatever the case, I'm glad the pressure is off

And good luck for tomorrow

First day back was a good'un. Not just for someone on their first day back after a long absence, a good day full stop.

I come back and one member of staff runs down the corridor to give me a hug and say hello and I see some of my favourite students who start waving very good UCAS (university application) personal statements in my face.

I get to my office, which is an absolute bombsite - far messier than when I left it and I didn't think that was possible, and I'd been ramraided of all of my supplies and pens. After literally an hour, my office was clean and I get a call from Aimhigher (the folk who pay my bills: the school employs me, Aimhigher pay me) saying they'd heard a rumour I was back and were delighted to learn it was true. They showed their delight by giving me a ton of work. I showed my delight by handing most of it back, completed, a few hours later, this pleased them further.

One of the lads comes up to me, tells me how happy he is to see me because he's wanted someone to talk about Doctor Who and the Sarah Jane Adventures with. Another has been dying to tease me about Everton's dismal season thus far. One member of staff (nothing related to the case) was a jackass but I kinda expected that and I dealt with it pretty well.

I know there's still a long ways to go, and that a lot of stuff still needs dealing with, decisions need making, but I've had my first good day in months. It feels rather wonderful.

Good.


Have another one tomorrow..

Delighted to hear you had a good busy day, getting better every day. Have a good weekend and do'nt forget to grumble about Monday morning

Good couple of days so far. The guy who was an arse on Friday was visited by my boss as someone who'd seen him made a complaint.

One slight problem I have is that I was given a week's worth of work yesterday morning and I've kind of done it all. So I'm not sure what I'll be doing tomorrow.

Interview in London next Monday, which should be fun. If nothing else, it's a free trip to London and that's never a bad thing.

glad things are picking up for you. I always have plenty of work if you get bored

Bad, bad week, but I'm getting through it.

A quick question for you guys:

The school has arranged for me to go to Occupational Health meetings and they're recommended that I attend them. Therefore I consider these meetings to be work meetings and that my travel expenses to/from them should be paid by the school.

The school disagrees with this and are insisting I repay the money I took from petty cash to get down there. Today they have demanded the money back.

So, gentle readers - do you think my meeting was a work one and should I repay the money? I've asked the union that I'm now a member of for clarification, but it might take a few days.

I really, really don't know.

Maybe pay the money back (to avoid allegations of stealing) and formally ask for the money from your actual amployer. Try and find out from your co-workers what usual practise is.



PS Didn't you have a job interview on Monday? Hope it went well.

>>Didn't you have a job interview on Monday? Hope it went well<<

It went very well, I had a lovely day. Good interview too. Didn't get it because they wanted someone who could do specific things and weren't interested in a training project, which is fair enough for the money they were offering.