BS: How do you escape?

Subject: How do you escape?
From: GUEST,Frustration
Date: 09 Jun 01 - 07:20 AM

What can you do when you are so good at your job according to your boss, that when you are offered other jobs they mysteriously withdraw the offer after your boss has applied pressure to them. This is work within education where the head knows everyone and where even if you don't quote the head as a reference the other employer will be able to contact them. From my point of view I am not being offered the terms and conditions specified on my contract and need to move. Or am I condemned to stay ? Should I resort to buying a suit with arrows all over it and wear a ball and chain, handcuffs etc. Has anyone else experienced this? What did you do?

Subject: RE: BS: How do you escape?
From: Roger in Sheffield
Date: 09 Jun 01 - 08:00 AM

These are my thoughts - but then what do I know!!

....politely ask the prospective employer why the offer was withdrawn, as you need to know why you are considered unsuitable so that you can address the problem. They will then have to try and invent an excuse or may reconsider
How do you know that pressure was applied? - don't get too paranoid without any evidence if all you have is a suspicion, it could make life difficult.

Subject: RE: BS: How do you escape?
From: GUEST,Frustration
Date: 09 Jun 01 - 08:09 AM

Did ask...both prospective employers response... My head had made it quite clear that if they employed me he could make life difficult for them, accusations of poaching staff etc Unfortunately, domestic constraints mean I can't move out of the area.

Subject: RE: BS: How do you escape?
From: Roger in Sheffield
Date: 09 Jun 01 - 09:07 AM

WOW that is awful. I never realised that heads were so powerful, is there no complaints proceedure? - though I am guessing you realise that may make things worse if the head has so much power, and unions can't help any?. I hope someone at Mudcat can give you some constructive help. For now try not to let it get you down.

Roger - sorry for not being any help

Subject: RE: BS: How do you escape?
From: Jeri
Date: 09 Jun 01 - 09:24 AM

The simple answer is to quit first, then go looking for another job with one of those employers who knows you. They wouldn't be hiring you out from under him. This is risky - you might want to ask prospective employers if they'd be interested in hiring you under those conditions first.

Subject: RE: BS: How do you escape?
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)
Date: 09 Jun 01 - 09:29 AM

I would confront the head with what you have been told; and suggest that you start grievance procedures with your union. Very few individuals are that important to an organization that they cannot be replaced. Make life as difficult as you possibly can for the head. Yours, Aye. Dave

Subject: RE: BS: How do you escape?
From: Gervase
Date: 09 Jun 01 - 02:29 PM

I've heard of constructive dismissal, but the reverse...whatever, it sounds a pretty crappy way for your head to behave.
I don't know what procedures are in place and whether you're in the USA or the UK, where employment law is different, but a contract of employment is binding for both parties - you and your employer. If it isn't being honoured, then you have grounds for complaint.
Are you a member of a union, and is there a rep you could ask for advice? If not, in the UK most legal firms offer a one-off free consultation on what used to be called the "green form" basis, where you can quickly establish whether or not you have a case and can then engage a lawyer if need be. In these cut-throat days some lawyers will even act on a contingency basis if the breach of contract is blatant enough to give a high likelehood of success at tribunal stage.
Good luck!

Subject: RE: BS: How do you escape?
From: lady penelope
Date: 10 Jun 01 - 06:48 AM

Remember, you are legally entitiled to apply for jobs. Your head is harrassing you by making your applications unscucessful.

If you are to make a successful 'Harrassment' action, you MUST WRITE EVERYTHING DOWN. Document everything and I mean everything. Consult a solicitor. Make it very clear to your head, in writing, with copies to your union rep./ solicitor/ direct 'line manager', that you intend to apply for work elsewhere.

Don't be afraid to make this public knowledge, people like your head keep their hold on people only if nothing is really "known". By bringing it into the open, no one can start accusing any one of dodgey practices, including you!

If they continue their actions you can quite happily take them to court. Use the unions to back you up, but make it clear that you do not accept the current behaviour.

BE POLITE, you can set yourself back, or even end up becoming a target if you are seen as anything other than a "voice of reason".

All this depends on how unhappy you are with your circumstances. Sometimes bullies capitulate at the first sign of resistance, but others can make it a long, hard slog. So you have to accept that this might take a great deal of effort on your part.

Good luck

M'Lady P.

Subject: RE: BS: How do you escape?
From: JudeL
Date: 10 Jun 01 - 07:31 AM

Ask for your prospective employer to put in writing why you were "unsuitable". N.B. Under the legislation this might be viewed as a form of discrimination. Contact your union rep. and explain the situation. Request a meeting with your head and have your union rep attend (new legislation - you have the right to be accompanied ). Do you have any contacts on the board of governers? Have you any idea why he might be doing this? What benefit to him is there in retaining a worker who wants to leave? In your post you believe your terms and conditions are not being met. Carefully check your contract and the policy and proceedure documents ( P&P docs should be freely accessible to all staff - if not they are breaking employment legislation). Identify and write down (in as much detail as you can) every instance where you feel your terms and conditions are not being met. Discuss this with your union rep well before your meeting with your head. It is often useful to have the information even if you have no intention of using it. Although using this info may take you into a situation you don't want, the knowledge itself usually enables you to be more confident , clear and realistic about your position and what you wish to achieve. If the only reason you want to move posts is because you feel you are not being treated fairly - if that were to be sorted out would you still want to move posts? Jude - with union rep hat on

Subject: RE: BS: How do you escape?
From: GUEST,got the tee-shirt
Date: 11 Jun 01 - 04:41 AM

Really sorry for you. Heads in some places have become "little hitlers" and if they have good backing from their governers, can get away with anything. Somneone else made a point of being reasonable - I go with that one all the way, also be seen by others to be reasonable. Make sure conversations are always overheard. And I am sorry to say this but I think the teaching unions are worse than useless. I hope you win the lottery and can march up the head and tell him/her - well what ever you think is most appropriate
GTTS

Subject: RE: BS: How do you escape?
From: pattyClink
Date: 11 Jun 01 - 03:31 PM

Well, call me litigious, but I would have a lawyer friend call the boss and explain what will happen if he does not retract his statements to the other employer and butt out of your life, and how messy lawsuits can be and how badly it would reflect on him, etc...