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Staff Misconduct at School

Types of Wrongful Behaviour by Staff at Middle and High School

May 23, 2008

Education Is Not Always Flowers and Fun, Kellie Hayden

Many educational staff members are making headlines by getting caught in acts of misconduct. Staff misconduct can include many types of poor behavior.

When a middle or high school educational staff member is accused of misconduct, it becomes front page news. Educational staff can include, but are not limited to, administrators, counselors, secretaries, teachers, substitute teachers, teacher's aids, coaches, custodians, security guards, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, volunteers or any other adult in contact in a school-related relationship with a student.

Staff Misconduct

To keep educational staff out of trouble, educators need to know all the types of misconduct. According to the University of Hertfordshire's Code of Practice, staff misconduct is defined as "wrongful educator behavior, inappropriate acts, deliberate wrongful acts or omissions."

Types of Misconduct

Misconduct committed by educators ranges from minor offenses to criminal activity. The official list of types of misconduct varies from state to state. Professional misconduct can include the following:

Theft
Engaging in gross incompetence or gross negligence
Permitting or helping an unlicensed person perform activities requiring a license or falsifying documents
Refusing service because of race, creed, color, or national origin
Releasing confidential information without authorization
Being convicted of a crime: local, state or national law
Being sexually or physically abusive
Working under the influence of alcohol or other drugs
Failing to follow established safety policies and procedures
Fighting or the deliberate harming of another
Insubordination or refusing to perform assigned work
Destroying school property intentionally
Using obscene or abusive language
Possessing firearms, or other weapons or dangerous materials on school property
Using school property without proper authorization
Furnishing lists of students or parents to anyone selling materials or services
Using time granted for leave, planning, and workshops for purposes for which it is not intended
Falsification of documents
Sleeping during scheduled work hours
Receiving or making excessive personal phone calls
Engaging in threatening or intimidating behavior
Using school computers for storing, sending, receiving, viewing or downloading illegal material via the internet
Bringing children to the work premises for the purpose of child care during work hours ("Professional Misconduct", 2004 and Colbert, 2007).

The list of infractions for educational staff is long. Educators need to make good choices and know the boundaries of right and wrong to not only stay out of the headlines but out of jail as well.

Sources:

Colbert, C. (2003, June 1). Procedures: staff conduct - reportable criminal or serious incidents. Retrieved September 17, 2007, from BoardDocs Policy Web site.

Professional misconduct and discipline. (2004, November 1). Retrieved September 17, 2007, from Office of the Professions, New York State Education Department Web site.

Other relevant articles: Suite 101 Middle/High School

The copyright of the article Staff Misconduct at School in Middle/High School is owned by Kellie Hayden. Permission to republish Staff Misconduct at School in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.