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ARTICLE

Professional Relations Services— Help When You Need It (Professional Relations)

Professional Relations Services Staff
February 2009

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Educating children is a complex task carried out in a highly regulated and litigious climate. As an ETFO member you should know that experienced knowledgeable staff are available to help you when you are having difficulties.

Professional relation  services (PRS)  staff  help  smooth  the way by intervening when needed, by advocating for you, and by providing education and advice. PRS staff can advise you about your options, responsibilities, and rights in relation to a wide variety of  workplace issues. PRS staff provide education programs and resources to help prevent such problems from arising in the first place.

Member  protection

Here are some of the areas in which PRS staff provide member support:

  • teacher performance appraisals (TPAs)
  • criminal allegations related to employment responsibilities
  • difficulties with students, other staff, parents, and school administrators
  • questions of ethics and professionalism
  • Ontario College of Teachers complaints
  • Employment Insurance
  • maternity and parental leaves
  • discrimination and harassment (on the basis of race, sexual orientation, disability, etc.)
  • long-term disability (LTD)
  • resignations and terminations
  • return to work/accommodation issues
  • stress and sick leave
  • Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) matters
  • health and safety issues

Criminal  allegations

Criminal allegations are the most serious professional issue members face. It is important to know what to do, and what not to do, if you are contacted by the police or Children’s Aid Society (CAS) regarding an allegation against you.

  1. Do not participate in or consent to an interview.
  2. Make no statement to anyone regarding the allegation/charges.
  3. State: “I am willing to cooperate but I am unable to comment until I contact my federation and legal counsel.”
  4. Call ETFO Professional Relations Services staff at 416-962-3836 or 1-888-838-3836 and state that your call is urgent.

 After-hours emergency  assistance

What is an emergency? 

  • Police or CAS are on the scene.
  • You are facing criminal charges for an alleged criminal offence directly related to the performance of your professional duties.
  • You are at risk of being arrested or incarcerated.

What should you do? 

Call provincial office. A recorded message will tell you how to get through to an operator. The operator will ask you a few quick questions and, if appropriate, will contact a criminal lawyer and connect you immediately.

 Member  education

Educating members and helping to prevent professional difficulties is a major ETFO goal. PRS staff have developed a broad range of resources to help you understand your rights and responsibilities.

PRS   Matters

PRS Matters deals with topics that affect members: professionalism, professional boundaries, EQAO testing, conflict resolution,  teacher  performance  appraisal,  bullying  and cyber  bullying,  reporting  workplace  accidents,  voluntary extracurricular activities, electronic communications. PRS Matters is mailed to all local presidents and school stewards. You can also access it by going to etfo.ca and clicking on “Advice for Members.”

Voice
Every issue of this magazine has a column devoted to professional relations issues. ETFO members receive a copy at their home address.

Additional  resources

After the Chalk Dust Settles – discusses wellness and professionalism
It Can Happen to You – a video about dealing with allegations of misconduct
Parent-Teacher Relationships: Putting the Pieces Together
Pregnancy & Parental Leave: A Guide to Rights & Responsibilities

These items are available from shopETFO at shopetfo.etfo.ca.

A Member’s Guide to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board can be downloaded from etfo.ca>Advice for Members.

Workshops  and  conferences

PRS staff offer local workshops throughout the year. These focus  on  a  variety of  issues, such  as:  managing difficult workplace situations, pregnancy and parental leaves, managing workload and stress, dealing with allegations of assault, parent-teacher relationships, professional boundaries, safe schools legislation, performance appraisal, professionalism, harassment and discrimination.
Contact  your  local  ETFO  office  to  find  out  what  is planned in your area. You can find the contact information for  your ETFO local by going to etfo.ca and clicking on “Links” in the upper right- hand corner.