I have been formally reprimanded for Inappropriate Commenting, but that's just for work (comments here have not been judged)

"WRXforScience" (WRXforScience) 08/17/2020 at 10:47 • Filed to: None

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On Friday I made a comment in a zoom group chat that was deemed “Inappropriate”. I’m going to post the comment below, so be forewarned if you are particularly sensitive.

Here’s verbatim the complaint:

“On Friday, August 14, at approximately 8:26 am during a District wide zoom meeting you posted the following statement in a zoom group chat, ‘I hope the memorial video for the teachers we lose to the virus are as well done as this one!’

During our conference, I announced it was a very inappropriate and unprofessional post. You begin to express your concerns of why the District is choosing to start school in person and why they are changing their minds when “ALL” the districts are going virtual. I corrected you by saying not “ALL” as I shared some districts that were doing exactly what [our district] is doing. You restated your comment to “the majority”. I mentioned that it does not matter what other districts are doing, but [our district] is doing everything, we can to keep you safe and if you are not comfortable with the situation, then you may want to reconsider why you are here. It was at that point I directed you to go home and complete the virtual day of learning at home.

I emphasized the number one priority of a staff member on this campus would be professionalism and this was certainly not conduct that is professional of a teacher during a District wide zoom meeting with almost 700 employees in attendance.

Our expectations are that you will improve as a professional educator in the specific areas of professionalism and public posting of comments and definitely not repeat this type of behavior. However, as a direct result of this behavior, I feel it is necessary to reprimand you formally and to direct that a copy of this incident be filed in your permanent records.”

Now I can decide to file a grievance to try to expunge my record or not. Now, I know that the real problem they have with my comment is that I called them out and didn’t tow the line. I was told that, I have “options”. They implied my options were to keep quiet and keep my job, or go find another one. I told them we’ll see in 6 months how this all works out and whether things turn out better or worse than they are now.

InFierority Complex > WRXforScience 08/17/2020 at 10:54

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WWait, permanent records are real?! Fuck.

Just Jeepin' > WRXforScience 08/17/2020 at 10:57

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Whether it was necessary, whether it will ultimately be helpful, whether there are in your circumstances better ways to tackle the problem,  I cannot judge. But it was undeniably unprofessional.

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > WRXforScience 08/17/2020 at 10:58

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I emphasized the number one priority of a staff member on this campus would be professionalism

As the saying goes, “ safety third”

Ash78, voting early and often > WRXforScience 08/17/2020 at 10:58

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I still think this is Career 101. There’s probably no white-collar job on earth where that would have gone unnoticed or unpunished. Consider yourself lucky, fly straight, and wait a few months before bringing up an expungement.

(full disclosure: I know nothing of unions, so I’m not one to ever pick a fight with an employer unless I’ve got a solid exit strategy)

WRXforScience > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s 08/17/2020 at 11:00

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Well, he’s on permanent record with this position now.

someassemblyrequired > WRXforScience 08/17/2020 at 11:04

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if the fall is as much of a shitshow as it looks like it will be, I’d file the grievance in January

Sovande > WRXforScience 08/17/2020 at 11:04

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File the grievance asap. File a counter grievance against the Principal, the school board and anyone else involved.

How long have you been a teacher with this district?  

ranwhenparked > WRXforScience 08/17/2020 at 11:04

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I had a coworker who was always drunk for our Monday morning meetings, and this is exactly why. He explained that if he wasn't buzzed and mellow, he'd have no ability to stop himself from making smartass comments after every idiotic thing the boss said. 

WRXforScience > someassemblyrequired 08/17/2020 at 11:06

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That’s my current plan, let the shit hit the fan and then have them “quietly” take back the admonishment.

Of course, if the Principal goes out and says that anything other than professionalism is his number one priority, I might have to bring this up.

hillrat > Just Jeepin' 08/17/2020 at 11:11

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Maybe it was, maybe it wasn’t. What I will say is that being “professional” and “collegial” and “polite” all those other little behavioral buzzwords often serve to stifle uncomfortable avenues of conversation and deflect responsibility for stupidity.

Last week I had an asshole Fed question my “maturity” because during a meeting I had the temerity to point out how their stupid requirement to review something (where they have no relevant domain knowledge ) ahead of my team talking to someone else   had delayed progress by two weeks. Of course I’m not supposed to mention things like that because I’m a contractor and they’re a Fed. I’m supposed to happily eat the shit sandwiches they feed me and then say my breath stinks “because of something I ate” and leave the fact they fed me a shit sandwich out of my statement so that I’m being “professional”.

Yeah, fuck all that. I’m currently looking for a new job because I have been to this party before and I didn’t enjoy it the first time.

WRXforScience > Sovande 08/17/2020 at 11:12

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6 years at this district, it’s also the very school I graduated from. The Principal did state that if I had made a positive comment about reopening, that would have been acceptable and professional. So, if you disagree with the district you cannot voice any negative opinions.

VincentMalamute-Kim > WRXforScience 08/17/2020 at 11:12

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They suck. I hope they suffer.

You sound like you’re the type to bring the fight. I hope it works out whatever you decide to do. Like Ash78 says, hopefully you have an exit strategy if you give them a fight since they’re laying the groundwork to fire you by filing the official reprimand.

Your union is supposed to have your back. I personally wouldn’t have the stomach to deal with the stress of a fight. OTOH, m y personality wouldn’t have said what you did.

wafflesnfalafel > WRXforScience 08/17/2020 at 11:14

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Y ou have been used as an “example” for somebody that is choosing to lead with authority.  Congratulations...  

WRXforScience > ranwhenparked 08/17/2020 at 11:14

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I understand the sentiment , but that strategy would definitely get me fired.

sony1492 > WRXforScience 08/17/2020 at 11:14

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VincentMalamute-Kim > Ash78, voting early and often 08/17/2020 at 11:15

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yeah, even as a doctor, I’ve been “ talked to” a few times for what hospital management considered inappropriate behavior.  

Textured Soy Protein > WRXforScience 08/17/2020 at 11:18

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I would only file the grievance in consultation with an employment lawyer who specializes in working with public school teachers. 

WRXforScience > wafflesnfalafel 08/17/2020 at 11:19

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I hope things work out well and we don’t see huge problems from our “leaderships’” decisions; however, I know they’ll never accept any responsibility if things get worse and that they have no plans to mitigate or prevent unpleasant scenarios.

I don’t think my Principal has the self-awareness needed to accept that if things go bad it’ll be his fault. Sure, he’ll apologize afterwards that if they knew what would have happened they might have done things differently, but how could anyone know that the pandemic would be deadly?

He’s picked his side and I’m going to hold him to it when things are all said and done. If we make it through and no one gets seriously ill and no one dies, I’ll go apologize. I’m not holding my breathe for any acknowledgement that he’s wrong if things go the other way.

WRXforScience > sony1492 08/17/2020 at 11:21

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Or, you’re entitled to your opinions as long as they are the same as ours, or don’t express them.

Mercedes Streeter > WRXforScience 08/17/2020 at 11:21

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Working in the K12 industry is interesting right now . The districts that decided to have in-person classes are already seeing widespread COVID cases. Kids are infecting other kids and educators and those people are then going home and infecting their families and f riends.

Some schools are adapting a “hybrid model”. Basically, the kids with the tech at home (and a parent at home to take care of them) do virtual learning while the students that don’t can appear in class. I’m not sure how those schools are faring, I can only hope not too horribly.

WRXforScience > Textured Soy Protein 08/17/2020 at 11:22

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I joined the UEA and will definitely consult them and their legal advisers before going any farther. 

bob and john > WRXforScience 08/17/2020 at 11:23

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ohh, okay. keep that down. ‘we are not allowed to disagree other wise its not professional’ erm, yea, that dont wory like that bud

Sovande > WRXforScience 08/17/2020 at 11:23

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Your comment was positive. You complimented the quality of the presentation.  Ugh what a shitshow.

WRXforScience > Mercedes Streeter 08/17/2020 at 11:24

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The Georgia schools that were open were on the “hybrid” model, it’s the same setup we’re using. The only difference is that we require masks, there are no guidelines on said masks, however.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > ranwhenparked 08/17/2020 at 11:30

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Thats....not healthy

WRXforScience > VincentMalamute-Kim 08/17/2020 at 11:30

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They won’t “fire” me, what happens in education is that they choose not to renew your contract. Teachers in Texas are contract employees and our contracts have to be renewed annually. As long as they don’t cite a protected class or status when they don’t renew your contract (they don’t really have to put any reason), there’s almost no recourse.

facw > WRXforScience 08/17/2020 at 11:31

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Seems like it would be good to talk to a union rep and/or labor lawyer regarding the grievance. Seems like if you are going to file it would be good to do so sooner rather than later to get it on record (and in the worst case, to make it more apparent that any action against you is probably retaliation).

That said, the comment was unprofessional, though so is requiring teachers to come in to work against the medical advice of pretty much everyone qualified to give medical advice .  

OPPOsaurus WRX > WRXforScience 08/17/2020 at 11:32

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so after the first teacher dies, will they ask you to make the video?

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > WRXforScience 08/17/2020 at 11:34

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S mart ass comments are not received well from management when thrown out there to a wide audience . A t the basic level it’s an undermining of managements directive. If not for clear hire/fire directives from the school I wouldn’t be surprised if a person was fired over something like this. 

WRXforScience > OPPOsaurus WRX 08/17/2020 at 11:40

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They aren’t going to ask me, but the local news stations might get an ano n ymous tip about my reprimand.

VincentMalamute-Kim > WRXforScience 08/17/2020 at 11:57

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Figures. They are very clever at getting around union protections.

someassemblyrequired > WRXforScience 08/17/2020 at 12:11

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I’d keep a copy in your wallet for just such an occasion 

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > WRXforScience 08/17/2020 at 12:15

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Too soon!

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > ranwhenparked 08/17/2020 at 12:16

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I think your friend might just be an alcoholic.

WRXforScience > someassemblyrequired 08/17/2020 at 12:17

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I might frame the reprimand letter.

ranwhenparked > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 08/17/2020 at 12:18

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No, he had a stroke followed a few months later by a heart attack at age 28, and eventually quit to go back to graduate school. Rough situation, he had worked with our new executive director at another organization, was poached/recruited by him, relocated across 2 states, his long time live-in girlfriend didn't adapt well to moving away from friends and family and broke up with him, he couldn't afford to keep the condo on just his salary, so moved into a rented room in another co-worker's house, and was put into a really bad, dysfunctional territory that his predecessor had run into the ground and screwed up badly, but was expected to produce good numbers immediately. So, lot of crap stacking up at once.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > WRXforScience 08/17/2020 at 12:23

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I’d file for an arbitration or however it works in your line of work, and settle for a slap on the wrist.

What you said was correct, and your boss seems like he/she was just throwing around their dick (because that’s what strong leaders do ) — that said, you werrrrrre unprofessional in that context. Not sure if it warrants a write-up, but that's why I'm not in charge.

ranwhenparked > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 08/17/2020 at 12:26

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High functioning, but, yes, most likely

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > ranwhenparked 08/17/2020 at 12:27

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Fair.

Bryan doesn't drive a 1M > WRXforScience 08/17/2020 at 12:36

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That sucks, and I’m so sorry about how rough your job is going to be for the foreseeable future. Best of luck, seriously.

MrSnrub > WRXforScience 08/17/2020 at 12:39

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I emphasized the number one priority of a staff member on this campus would be professionalism

Give me civility or give me death!!

Exage03040 @ opposite-lock.com > WRXforScience 08/17/2020 at 12:48

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I think you would have been better served with a formal typed email of disagreement to managements direction, ideally with as much support you could get from other members on your stance.

You really painted a bullseye on yourself with the action to speak against management during a forum . Especially as it seemed no other fellow member stood with you. Good management is welcoming of complaints in order to find solutions but even the best would take issue with your deliverance.  

Further, I don’t know if you or anyone was recording the call, but for such blatant disagreements and grievances you typically want a record to fall back on with initial submit , even if it goes straight to recycle bin. I’ve been burned way too many times by phone calls and verbal undocumented . M anagement had  a habit of twisting or “forgetting” things I said (or they said!) to weasel their way out of things.

Where you go from here? I’m not sure. I’d probably file a grievance sooner than later, I don’t think letting it lay really will have any benefit. Unfortunately I think you may have to lay low instead of spearheading, best scenario would be to join someone else leading this action.

I’d also caution you on what seems to be a vendetta forming against management. Just from my experience; when management and a single employee have a disagreement such as ,   it’s nearly always the employee that suffers the most and likely leaves .

Hope you work this out!

WRXforScience > MrSnrub 08/17/2020 at 12:56

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More like, give me civility and give me death. 

fintail > WRXforScience 08/17/2020 at 13:03

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Just keep a folder of all communication for later. Remember how revenge is best served, that is, not warm .

Plenty of micromanaging egoistic “leadership” types deserve to be personally and professionally destroyed, maybe even more so in the public sector where the paper pushers are virtually unfireable past a certain tenure, and end up sucking down benefits unattainable to the normal worker.

DipodomysDeserti > VincentMalamute-Kim 08/17/2020 at 13:17

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My sister was reprimanded for wearing a mask while on her floor with Covid patients earlier in the year (they were not in negative pressure rooms).

Hospital admins are probably the worst of the worst when it comes to this sort of thing.

VincentMalamute-Kim > DipodomysDeserti 08/17/2020 at 13:21

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Y our sister’s story is solid evidence for it. But probably no better or worse than anyone else.

H ospital management are not my direct bosses (we’re independent contractors ) but they complained to the head of my group who then told me to cut it out. We don’t want our contract in jeopardy.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > WRXforScience 08/17/2020 at 13:26

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I wouldn’t worry about it for now consideri ng the circumstances you guys are experiencing down there...

DipodomysDeserti > VincentMalamute-Kim 08/17/2020 at 13:40

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Seeing some of the fear mongering shenanigans they’ve been playing over the last six months in order to distract from their shitty staffing policies during a pandemic puts them at the top of the list in m y book. It’s profit at all costs with some of these organizations.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > WRXforScience 08/17/2020 at 14:04

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They should be reprimanding the f***wit who set up the Zoom meeting with 700 people and did not disable the Allow One Person to Send Chats to All Attendees  feature.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > WRXforScience 08/17/2020 at 14:06

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Was your administrator wearing his MAGA hat when he read you the riot act?

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 08/17/2020 at 14:08

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This.

VincentMalamute-Kim > DipodomysDeserti 08/17/2020 at 14:08

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True. But schools are also playing that game, i.e. WRX’s. Schools aren’t trying to maximize profit though.

Most hospitals, including non-profits and acade mic centers, put profit first.  They didn’t all used to.

WRXforScience > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 08/17/2020 at 14:10

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We were actually encouraged to participate in the chat.

WRXforScience > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 08/17/2020 at 14:13

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No, but he did say that, “we don’t shutdown the school because people die in car accidents.” I told him that on average about 40k Americans die each year in car crashes while over 160k Americans have died so far from Covid and that we do in fact close the school whenever it snows becau se the risk of car crashes increases.

I also champion, and run the local SCCA Region’s Street Survival school which is a car control and safety clinic aimed at keeping kids safe on the road.

sn4cktimes > WRXforScience 08/17/2020 at 14:17

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Maybe not the most professional comment. I could agree with it not being 100% PC... but sometimes you gotta say shit.

AND I do agree with that you were saying. Most kids’ bodies are technically going to treat Covid like a flu. Most, not all, but most. But primarily i t’s all the adults they pass it to that are going to have complications or die. And teachers are gonna be front-line adults to this shit- show.

dogisbadob > WRXforScience 08/17/2020 at 14:21

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File the grievance

WRXforScience > sn4cktimes 08/17/2020 at 14:39

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Well, we were given the option, either come to school and put ourselves at risk or quit. That’s our only two official choices.

DipodomysDeserti > VincentMalamute-Kim 08/17/2020 at 15:38

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I teach at three different private schools, and my experience coming back has been very different than WRX’s. Anyone I work with who didn’t feel safe coming back in person was allowed to work virtually. I can speak directly, and frankly, with the owners of my schools whenever I want. I think that’s what makes a big difference whether it be a public or private entity.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > WRXforScience 08/17/2020 at 15:59

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Like I said. Your district doesn't sound like it's being run by the brain trust.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > WRXforScience 08/17/2020 at 16:03

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 I can't offer you anything useful or even clever to that reply.

VincentMalamute-Kim > DipodomysDeserti 08/17/2020 at 16:03

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Nice. I think you’re more lucky than most.

You may be right about public vs private but I’d think a lot of it is due to the specific individuals involved.

gettingoldercarguy > bob and john 08/17/2020 at 16:35

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He just wasn't protesting the right way.

Shour, Aloof and Obnoxious > WRXforScience 08/17/2020 at 21:42

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Wow. Your campus’ priority one is professionalism? Geez. You’d think it’d be something like...you know, student safety. Or student advocacy. Or quality education for students.

Or even the default for a Texas public school in a panic...better test scores.

Hey, if a threat shows up on campus, your kids may not know how to do a proper shelter-in-place, but you guys will be VERY professional with that threat! 

WRXforScience > Shour, Aloof and Obnoxious 08/17/2020 at 23:32

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“Top priority” just means whichever came up most recently, the real top priority is appearances and appeasing the parents.

WRXforScience > VincentMalamute-Kim 08/17/2020 at 23:43

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All the decisions are at the district’s discretion, they could choose to do just about anything. Hell, the Principal could have taken a stand (or any of the campus Principals) and we probably would have more options.

We had a plan to do remote instruction for the beginning of school, we could have just stuck with it and there wouldn’t be any issues (aside from the distance learning and global pandemic). They chose to reopen during a spike in cases at the last minute as the number of cases and positivity rate increased. They could have done the right thing by just not changing the plan.

VincentMalamute-Kim > WRXforScience 08/17/2020 at 23:49

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A car accident doesn’t infect other people and doesn’t cause more crashes