• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Discrimination?

L

Littleholls

Member
Messages
20
Hi I just wanted to hear your opinions and experiences about a situation I experienced recently.

I am a senior teacher in a prinary school. A trip was planned by two junior members of staff and a senior leader was required to accompany them and the children.

When I asked to be considered, another senior teacher said, in front of all the other staff, 'you can't go for health reasons, you'll end up collapsing in a heap somewhere'.

I have t1. Had it a year and it has never once affected my ability to do my job, or affected the safety of children in my care. I am very well controlled and hypo aware and have never in my life collapsed in a heap anywhere.

Is this the start of t1 affecting my opportunities at work? I'd this really people's opinions of people with diabetes? I am furious.

Just to add. This woman is our inclusion manager!!!!!

Sorry. Rant over!
 
I would be furious too!
All school trips have to have a risk assessment done so ask them to put in writing why you are such a risk then! I bet they daren't, if they do then use it to report them.
Good luck
Angie
 
Think I would ask to have a quiet word with her, but before that speak to your head.
 
dawnmc said:
Think I would ask to have a quiet word with her, but before that speak to your head.
Click to expand...

Have a quick word with your pancreas while you're at it...
 
That is dire, and from your "inclusion" officer too! I would definitely take issue with this and go through the proper channels to ensure you are never on the receiving end of such ridiculous, stereo typical comments again. How dare she!! You have got to wonder what on earth she is saying to the pupils she deals with??????? Sheesh.

Ali
 
Hiya. I would definitely say something - to her and, depending on how that goes, to somebody higher up. I would be fuming. Not only because she is discriminating against you because you have diabetes, but that she feels it appropriate to say, in front of others, that you'll end up collapsing. To me this seems to imply bad control!

Have you ever collapsed at school becazuse of your diabetes or had any sort of incident that would cause her to come to this conclusion? I am actually mad on your behalf!

Hope you get it sorted. Em
 
Littleholls said:
When I asked to be considered, another senior teacher said, in front of all the other staff, 'you can't go for health reasons, you'll end up collapsing in a heap somewhere'.
Click to expand...


Shocking to say the least. I wouldn't let this drop, like others have suggested ask for an explanation in writing and follow-up it up with the help of your trade union if need be.
 
Thanks for your replies. I'm glad I'm not alone in finding this unacceptable.

I've never had so much as a hypo at work and am very well controlled so her comments are completely unfounded.

I am particularly upset as I have never once used my diabetes as an excuse for anything. I don't feel it stops me doing anything whatsoever and I think that's a good attitude to have. It's just so disheartening to have someone point the finger and say 'you can't'.

I'm going to speak to her, tell her how I perceived her comments and I think it might be worth asking my union just to make a note of this in case it continues.
 
Littleholls said:
I'm going to speak to her, tell her how I perceived her comments and I think it might be worth asking my union just to make a note of this in case it continues.
Click to expand...


I would also expect a full apology too, let us know how you get on!
 
Hi,

I would strongly advise you to contact your union first.
They will have expert advice and shall use proper procedures to ensure you have a satisfactory result regarding this outrageous action from a senior teacher.

Roy.
 
I work at a major hospital in Birmingham in the operating theatres.I've had two incidents of discrimination about my diabetes.I've been told I cannot go out to collect organs as I'm a diabetic and my health might effect the transplant program and the 2nd one is I've been taken off the weekend overtime rota because of my diabetes. My managers have said that if operating lists run over I might have a hypo if I had no food with me.this is the medical profession, they have not got a clue !
 
Back
Top