Threatened Dismissal - Options?
Discussion
Another advice request from the PH massive......
Some background
My partner is the head of a school kitchen at a ‘multi-cultural’ (Sikhs, Muslims, Christians and more) girls’ comprehensive in a major town in East Berkshire. She has been working there without issue since June last year. Prior to this, she has run her own (very successful) gastro-pub and for the 6 years prior to getting this latest employ was a supply teacher. She is also a trained counsellor (specialising in abused kids) and is an emergency foster carer for the local council.
At the school where she now works, she has introduced a policy of only preparing food using fresh ingredients and all to be prepared fresh on the day of consumption – Due to the school having Muslim kids all the meat is Halal – The school is on the verge of attaining 5-star status with regard meals which is not achieved by many. Kids taking school dinners have increased during her tenure from c250 per day to c 550 per day, even the staff indulge whereas before their absence was notable. She manages a staff of 8.
An issue has now arisen which will now likely lead to her dismissal (she is the boss and the buck stops there) and I am livid.
On the day the school were serving Christmas Lunch, it appears one of the canteen staff mistakenly gave a ‘pig in blanket’ to a Muslim student (the Christian element at the school insisted Christmas Lunch should not be Halal meat!!). Rather than ask for a new plate of food, the student waited until she was home and told her parents. They escalated to their (two!?!) mosques who contacted the school in the New Year looking for a scapegoat and threatening national press and pickets outside the school until action is taken. Now bear in mind my partner fields questions on a daily basis such as “is this custard Halal?” or “I’m a Muslim can I eat cheese?”. Should it really be her (or the school’s) responsibility to educate Muslim kids in the rules of Dhabihah??
The school governors meet this evening to decide my partner’s fate. The headmistress has on several occasions bowed to this type of external pressure before. My partner will likely lose a job she loves as it combines her 2 passions, cooking and working with kids.
Is there anything we can do??
Some background
My partner is the head of a school kitchen at a ‘multi-cultural’ (Sikhs, Muslims, Christians and more) girls’ comprehensive in a major town in East Berkshire. She has been working there without issue since June last year. Prior to this, she has run her own (very successful) gastro-pub and for the 6 years prior to getting this latest employ was a supply teacher. She is also a trained counsellor (specialising in abused kids) and is an emergency foster carer for the local council.
At the school where she now works, she has introduced a policy of only preparing food using fresh ingredients and all to be prepared fresh on the day of consumption – Due to the school having Muslim kids all the meat is Halal – The school is on the verge of attaining 5-star status with regard meals which is not achieved by many. Kids taking school dinners have increased during her tenure from c250 per day to c 550 per day, even the staff indulge whereas before their absence was notable. She manages a staff of 8.
An issue has now arisen which will now likely lead to her dismissal (she is the boss and the buck stops there) and I am livid.
On the day the school were serving Christmas Lunch, it appears one of the canteen staff mistakenly gave a ‘pig in blanket’ to a Muslim student (the Christian element at the school insisted Christmas Lunch should not be Halal meat!!). Rather than ask for a new plate of food, the student waited until she was home and told her parents. They escalated to their (two!?!) mosques who contacted the school in the New Year looking for a scapegoat and threatening national press and pickets outside the school until action is taken. Now bear in mind my partner fields questions on a daily basis such as “is this custard Halal?” or “I’m a Muslim can I eat cheese?”. Should it really be her (or the school’s) responsibility to educate Muslim kids in the rules of Dhabihah??
The school governors meet this evening to decide my partner’s fate. The headmistress has on several occasions bowed to this type of external pressure before. My partner will likely lose a job she loves as it combines her 2 passions, cooking and working with kids.
Is there anything we can do??
BarnatosGhost said:
How old was the student? If she was 5, sadly, (and ridiculously) I think your missus is in bother.
If she was 11, I don't think she should be held at all responsible.
13 - It's a Comprehensive schoolIf she was 11, I don't think she should be held at all responsible.
BarnatosGhost said:
Did your missus complain at being 'forced' to serve non-halal food?
It is multi-cultural and for ease of preparation it was decided to go 100% Halal (it all tastes the same!!)Rude-boy said:
Not clear if the PiB was eaten or left on the side of the plate though.
Nor is it clear that she could have had any influence on this at all. Yes she is the boss but if ONE Halal plate had a PiB that suggests a single minor error on service, otherwise there would have been lots of Muslim people pointing out that unwanted extra.
It was left (the kid really should have asked for a replacement plate but didn't)Nor is it clear that she could have had any influence on this at all. Yes she is the boss but if ONE Halal plate had a PiB that suggests a single minor error on service, otherwise there would have been lots of Muslim people pointing out that unwanted extra.
It was only one plate
Also, the hypocrisy of this whole affair is that thge majority of the Muslim kids who have breakfast ask specifically for bacon!!
Interesting - Just found this (D Mail of course)
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-435198/Par...
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-435198/Par...
Fatman2 said:
If it's a genuine mistake then the school should be supporting your wife, unless they don't really want to continue with the environment she's created (not an impossibility).
It certainly was a genuine mistake - It has certainly caused division amongst the kitchen staff of whom 3 are Muslim and the others are Sikh/Christian.The other crazy thing is that last Friday when partner met the Head, the head asked her (in a very accusing manner) why she hadn't been on a Halal cooking course - WHAT THE F**K!!! She is just as ignorant...........
Carlton Banks said:
daz3210 said:
And on another subject, is the bacon they serve for breakfast halal too? If not they do NOT have a 100% halal policy!
Good question.Does Halal refer to the method of Slaughter?
But even if it was Halal, they would not be able to eat it anyway.
So would this be exempt?
arfur sleep said:
I assume from the lack of update by the OP that the matter has not been resolved to their satisfaction and that they are seeking/have sought professional advice on the matter.
I assume and hoped to be proved wrong
No - we are awaiting a date for the disciplinary and I am using some of the excellent advice from this thread to put together a letter of mitigation.I assume and hoped to be proved wrong
Things appear to have stalled for a while. A sixth-form girl has emerged from the mess (who was on canteen supervisory duty on the day) and made a statement saying she advised the young girl to take her dinner back and say there has been a mistake (obviously the right thing to do). Instead she chose to bin the meal, go without and create a fuss..............
I think things may end with the correct result.....
I think things may end with the correct result.....
Jonleeper said:
Marf said:
Jonleeper said:
Respect for someone elses views is an important part of living in a diverse society.
Not respect. Tolerance. One can tolerate a view but one does not have to respect it.
Evocator said:
Best of luck to you and your OH and I hope all goes well for you both, regardless of what the outcome is, remember to make a fuss of her afterwards – You know her, believe her 100% and THAT is all that’s important in the grand scheme of things.
I'll not quote the entire post but thanks very much for some really sound advice, I really will try to drum some of that into her which will be challenging as she is, shall we say, rather 'passionate'........Possibly not - Hearing took c3 hours!! Would appear there was a hunt for a witch in progress as the "school's reputation had been besmirched"...... Outcome due on Wednesday when sadly it appears the appeal process will need to be instigated.
Unfortunately her union rep couldn't attend the hearing but is keen to get very involved in any appeal process.
Unfortunately her union rep couldn't attend the hearing but is keen to get very involved in any appeal process.
Thanks for the comments guys 'n gals. Don't be hard on the union rep - she had a number of prior engagements that day and really wants to 'get her teeth into this one'. Union is GMB and will have their full support. We probably screwed up by not asking for an adjournment in time. All is not lost and ongoing............
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