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

From what you say Iago, the school seem to be almost going down the line of constructive dismissal - ie making your life at work so unbearable that you hand in your notice.

Please make sure that you are keeping documented evidence of all these

'orders' - and now - breathe

what can you do today to take you mind away from the ordeal?

Write it down before your forget! Seriously, the headmaster 'ordered you' to ignore police advice. and you were subjected to verbal abuse when you did so. Inform the police as well and if they say you shouldn't have ignored their advice, tell them you're eager to keep your job. (I hope you did inform the police about the trouble at the school.)

I don't know whether Ed has been able to contact you on a less public forum with advice from his brother. If he hasn't been able to do that, you should be looking elsewhere.

And take heart, hopeless as it might seem at times, you will be able to get through this mess.

I've made it clear to them that they don't need to do that - as soon as I can find someone else to take me, I'm gone.

There was one slightly unpleasant moment when I mentioned I was seeing someone from Victim's Support and that I'd had my first meeting last week and was told that the timing was convenient. I simply offered to show the person the appointment letter, dated as it was a whole fortnight before this whole mess kicked off

Got interview prep to be getting on with today, that'll keep me busy as will the Battlestar Galactica DVDs I'm watching. I've worked hard to regain my calm, I'm not letting it go away.

Speaking to an occupational therapist was also mentioned: although I resent the way I was ordered to go and I don't like the implication and the picture they could build, I figure it's the path of least resistance to jump through this particular hoop.

Ooops! I hadn't seen Lanza's post when I wrote.

You've already started to recover from the physical attack - today might seem like a step back but you'll go forward again - so don't let the school run you down.

Take care

And now yours !

Glad you're keeping busy

If nothing else, if you keep writing stuff here you have a permenent record of what's gone on and the dates and everything. The BBC can't lie about those.

I am concerned that the school ordered you to ignore the advice of the police; this is your personal welfare that is at stake and they don't appear to be taking the risks seriously.

Are you looking for jobs outside of the city?

here's a UK link to the Government site with some preliminary stuff on Constructive Dismissal

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/RedundancyAndLeavingYourJob/Dismissal/DG_10026696


does this sound a bit like the situation you are in?

bullying, harassment or violence against you by work colleagues
making you work in dangerous conditions


Good luck!

I see there's a Helpline lurking in there http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Dl1/Directories/DG_10010857

I don't know if you've contacted anybody but it does seem a good idea

Just had the police around for a very interesting chat and a bit of probing into some intimate areas.

Of my three assailants, 1 has confessed and grassed his two mates up and another was found to have a pair of trainers with blood on them which may well be mine. PCs seemed to think a court date is inevitable, though it might be a few months off.

I'm rather cheerful.

There's nothing better than hearing that the culprits will be punished - I bet the police were glad about that too.


I had to read this bit a bit carefully


>>>bit of probing into some intimate areas.

I see you are recovering your sense of humour Iago.

Keep the good cheer up ! And do something you enjoy, making the most of your paid time off

Well, the past couple of days have been all about getting ready for tomorrows interview, which I've more or less done (just need to nail the timings of my presentation). Getting train tickets was funny - it's cheaper for me to get two 1st class advance singles than it would be to get an off-peak return.

Meeting a mate for lunch later and after that I'm on enforced relaxation: the interview nerves are starting to build and I've got to be up at the crack of dawn tomorrow.

the recent unpleasant events seemed to have become the trigger for the change you've needed! OK, I'm trying to be positive and look on the bright side: i recommend it.

You mentioned train tickets but you didn't say to where. I hope it's somewhere where you'll feel confortable and have some friends.

As always, all the best

Oh it's Newcastle, where I've never been before - not that that's an impediment. I'd never been to Exeter or Bradford before the interviews that brought me there. The first time I went to Cornwall was when I moved into my new place down there (which I'd signed for sight-unseen).

Got a few mates from school there, but it's not that far away from Bradford, so I could still rely on my mates down here if I got it.

I've never been to Newcastle either, I hope that it's somewhere where you can feel comfortable....

Be positive and don't start tasting the brown ale until after the interview. Will be thinking of you

I trust the interview is over now, and that it went well...

It's today I understood


By the time HI looks in, it'll probably be over. Can only hope it went superbly

The interview was very meh and I don't have a hope in hell of getting the job. There were four other candidates and three were either current or former students and employees of the university and the fourth was a local lad.

My performance was fine, my presentation was good and all in all, I did well. But they're going to give the job to one of the internals. I'll probably get a call confirming it in the next 45 minutes or so.

Train broke down on the way there and the way back which was a huge panic in the former and a nuisance in the latter case.

Oh well, back to the drawing board.

It went well and that's good for your confidence. Keep smiling and have a great weekend !