I've been accused and I'm being investigated. What do I do? I'm absolutely terrified.
I'm a male substitute teacher, and this is my first year teaching with this school system. I've never been in trouble for anything, and I've always had a stellar reputation. Today, I was called into HR after a complaint was made about me, and two female students said "I made them uncomfortable." I am absolutely terrified that I won't recover from this. I swear I'm not a creep, I've never been alone with a student, I love my work, and nothing like this has ever happened. What do I do? I've never been called to any kind of office.
Jobadvisor
I understand this is an incredibly stressful and terrifying situation, especially given your clean record and commitment to your work. Dealing with an investigation, particularly one involving students, is very serious.
Please note: I am an AI and cannot provide legal advice. The most crucial step you can take right now is to secure professional legal counsel. The information below is general guidance, and you should consult with an attorney immediately.
Here are the key steps you should consider taking, focusing on a U.S. context:
Immediate Steps
Seek Legal Counsel IMMEDIATELY:
Contact an attorney who specializes in employment law or education law. They can advise you on your specific rights, the school's policy, and how to navigate the investigation. They can also often communicate with the school on your behalf.
Do not delay. Your legal rights and the success of your defense often depend on early intervention.
Follow School Instructions (Carefully):
If you have been placed on administrative leave or told not to contact students/staff, follow these instructions precisely. Violating these directives could lead to immediate termination and harm your case.
Ask for all instructions in writing.
Do Not Discuss the Case:
Do not discuss the complaint or the investigation with anyone except your spouse/partner (if you choose to), and especially your attorney.
This includes other teachers, administrators, students, parents, or social media. Anything you say can be used against you.
During the Investigation
Understand Your Rights:
If you are a member of a union or professional association (like a teachers' association), contact them right away. They often provide legal support or have specific agreements (like a right to have a representative present) that apply to disciplinary meetings.
You generally have the right to know the specifics of the allegation. Ask your attorney to help you get this information.
Prepare a Detailed Account:
Write down everything you remember about the day(s) in question. Include dates, times, locations, who else was present (other students, teachers, aides), and exactly what you said or did.
Be objective, detailed, and factual. This is for your attorney's eyes and your future reference. Do this before any further interviews.
Preserve Evidence:
Gather any documents, emails, text messages, or other communications related to your employment or the incident.
If you used a digital planner or calendar, note any information that corroborates your account of your location and activities.
Interview/Meeting Protocol:
Do not attend any formal interview or questioning with HR or administration without your lawyer or union representative present. Simply state: "With all due respect, I'm happy to cooperate fully, but I need to consult with my legal counsel before answering any substantive questions."
Be respectful, honest, and calm, but remember that your primary job is to protect your rights.
Emotional and Professional Support
Protect Your Mental Health: What you are going through is a trauma. Reach out to a therapist or counselor for support.
Focus on the Process: The system requires an investigation. Focus your energy on following your lawyer's advice and managing the process, not on the "what ifs."
The Accusation is Not a Finding of Guilt: An investigation is a necessary step to determine facts. Stay focused on presenting the facts clearly through your legal counsel.
Again, the most important action you can take right now is to contact an attorney who understands U.S. employment and school law. They are your best resource for navigating this frightening situation.
UPS worker killed in Richmond, California—co-workers ordered to resume jobs as victim's body lay in trailer
On Sunday afternoon, September 21, 43-year-old UPS driver Shelma Reyna Guerrero was crushed to death while loading packages inside a cargo trailer at the company’s facility on Atlas Road in Richmond, California.
According to police, Guerrero was working alone inside the trailer around 4:15 p.m. when an avalanche of packages fell onto her. A co-worker later discovered her injured body and called 911, but emergency responders declared her dead at the scene. On the GoFundMe page set up by her family, it is reported that she leaves five children behind.
The fund page mentions the “malfunction of a machine.” Workers in the area confirmed on social media that the extendable conveyor at trailer door 89 “has been malfunctioning for some time.”
On Reddit, a co-worker fondly remembered Shelma. “She was so friendly, had a beautiful smile. I would see her and she would say, ‘I love your hair,’ and she would smile that big gorgeous smile. I would tell her, ‘I love your smile, it’s so infectious! RIP SHELMA ❤️”
The worker described the callous and profit-driven response of UPS to the preventable death. “They shut us down for about 2 hours between both shifts and then started the building back up. Left her in the trailer with the door open.”
Even in death, Shelma was not spared indignities by the corporation. The worker said Shelma, “was in a bodybag and then some idiot (my opinion) covered her with small sort bags because they thought it would be better than us seeing the body bag. She was still in the building when we left after 11pm. They wouldn’t let anyone close the trailer cause the police said it was a crime scene.”
The worker concluded:
“It was just business as usual. I’m so angry, upset and just freaking pissed off. The lack of respect, compassion and empathy they showed her in death just killed me. I know OSHA (Occupational Health and Safety) and the police had to investigate but it still seemed callous to me to have us in there working. I just needed to share this. I’m just so upset.”
Read the rest of the article here.