Teacher's Rights 101 - Right to Representation
Question: I am in a meeting with a site administrator, what do I need to know?
Answer: It depends on what the meeting is about.
An employee has the right to have a union representative at a meeting with the employer if he or she has a reasonable expectation that discipline may result. (Weingarten rule)
What does that mean?
During the course of a meeting with a site administrator, if you feel that the meeting is going to end in a disciplinary matter then you have the right to have a union representative present. At any time you feel the meeting is going to result in a letter of discipline, needs to improve, or a support plan, then you can and should stop the meeting and call a site representative in to witness the meeting. IT IS YOUR RIGHT!!
Question: During the course of a meeting with your site administrator they raise their voice at you in anger or frustration. During the course of a meeting you feel belittled or humiliated. What do you do?
Answer: You are an adult and a professional. You should ALWAYS be treated as one. You have the right to stop the meeting. Ask the site administrator to calm down and then reschedule the meeting and ask for your site representative to be a witness. If you are afraid to say anything to the site administrator then just get up and leave the room.
What does that mean?
You are a professional and an adult. Remember that and know that a site administrator can only treat you as a child if you let them. Stand up and leave the room if they raise their voice or treat you in a disrespectful manner.
WHEN IN DOUBT ASK FOR YOUR SITE REPRESENTATIVE OR STOP THE MEETING AND RESCHEDULE!!