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

well done.

>>obviously they said more than 'get a lawyer'<<

but of course, the parity just tickled my sense of humour!

>>Employment law [isn't] their forte <<

Fair point. That phrase does sound like it invites lawyers.
(There's a myth they can't cross the threshold unless invited - that's true - but they aren't allergic to silver. They love The Shiny! )

Just swinging by so see how things are doing

They're not Can't get anyone to take me in and the school hasn't made any contact despite me saying I need to get in and see then asap.

It's an absolute joke, except for the whole 'funny' part.

How did the school 'say' they wanted you to contact them? In writing? If so, respond in writing.

If there's an e-mail address, I suggest you write a friendly little note saying you've been trying to contact them but nobody's called despite your messages (obviously get an automatic 'acknowledgement of receipt' and keep it preciously).

If there's no other way of 'proving' you've written, you might have to consider a registered letter or something.





PS Hope the lawyer friend you mentioned has been in contact

I've been told to stay in touch by phone, calling one of the deputy heads. They've said they'll call me with information and then follow it up by post.

Lawyer mate is away until the start of next week, which sucks.

Just keep a keen eye on the post then....

What about other 'free' legal assistance?

Another day of no contact from the school. If this is them acting as urgently as possible, I'd hate to see them react slowly.

Look on the bright side, it's giving your lawyer mate time to get back

Just got a call from the deputy head: I'd hoped it was with news, in fact it was just a personal 'seeing how you are' call. So I told him off a bit.

Found this on the BBC website - perhaps I should use it as part of my defense:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/8306940.stm

"So while a row should never be personal, having the odd shout at a colleague **about work** could be advantageous."



From what I've understood, it wasn't really about 'work'. And I hope you told the head off *gently* and constructively. I know you must be getting frustrated but taking it out on people who might be able to help isn't the best idea IMO.

At least, they've phoned. What's next? Do you have to wait some more?
At least you'll have time to contact that lawyer friend. If the weather's OK, you should try to get out, as far as poss from your local area.

be positive !

It was relatively constructive - he asked how I was feeling, so I told him. I said the school needs to *do* something.

He wasn't calling with news, so in that sense I've got to just carry on waiting. It's half-term week after next, so if I've not heard anything by next Wednesday, I won't hear anything until after Halloween.

The weather here is pretty foul and thus far all attempts to escape have failed. I'll be spending a bit of half-term in Nottingham with my ex (who is being confusingly supportive) and then hopefully some time with my sort-of foster dad and his family in Southport.

In other words, away from Bradford!

It will do you a lot of good I'm sure, give you the 'get away from it all' break you obviously need

Hi !

Did you see sprout's post? More importantly, do you 'know' him a little?

F19585?thread=6999242&show=20&skip=20#p87116566

I suppose the chances of him being specialised in employment law are pretty remote but perhaps he could give you a few general pointers. If your lawyer mate has got back to you, it might not be necessary

Have a good day

Had an interesting visitor this morning: it was the deputy head who I told off yesterday and he'd come bearing gifts.

He came around with some nice breakfast-y things and an exercise bike. So I guess my scolding didn't do any real damage and I can do some ing exercise. And I'm so bored, I might actually use it.

I've got a week away over half-term, splitting my time between the sort-of ex and the sort-of foster dad. So that'll be nice.

Things seem to be looking better !

Have a good break (use that exercise bike before you go off) and come back in fine form

And I have news of a conclusion to this whole sorry farce: I've been called in for a meeting with the Head on the 12th of next month. Quite why it needs 3 weeks for such a meeting is beyond me, but oh well.

There's a line at the end of the letter that has be confused: "The Headteacher had the power to issue a first or written warning." Does that mean that's the most he can do? Because a verbal or written warning is nothing.

The *second* I'm back in, I'm joining a union and starting a complaint against the school for this whole procedure.

I'm not sure, but as you still work for the school can't you join a union now?

Had a meeting with Occupational Health, a meeting I had been *very* reluctant to go to because of the way the school imposed it.

It went very well. The guy was disgusted with the way the school has treated me and thinks they've failed utterly in their duty of care to me. Which I already knew, but it's nice to get a professional saying it. He's also going to recommend that I be allowed back into work immediately.

That was almost fun...

Glad to hear it.... but don't forget the lawyer thing just because of that.

(I may be a little cynical, but IMO the more 'ammunition' you have the less it will be needed)

Seems real, permanent damage has been done. The injunction against me speaking to anyone at the school has been lifted and I've tried to extend the hand of friendship to the main protagonists in this little debacle.

Thus far my entreaties have been met with complete silence. So it looks like I've lost my only mates at the school and with them, a main reason for working there.

I'm feeling rather glum.