I think if you are a Christian educator in a profession which is dominated by individuals whose poltical ideology is left-of-center, you need to know your legal options should you encounter a hostile work environment. It is vital to know your legal rights and how to proceed should those rights be infringed upon.
I want to lay some groundwork here. If you are a Christian teacher or admin, I want to stop you right now and give you some advice which has served our family well. Find a good lawyer, and be willing to pay the price. The money that you pay now will save you later. Have the names of a good litigator, a good contract lawyer, and a lawyer (maybe a family friend) who can just answer simply stuff. With legal teams, you get what you pay for. NEVER sign a contract without a lawyer first reviewing it. NEVER go into a potential disciplinary meeting without legal representation. You want a lawyer who is preferably not from your area and one who will staunchly defend you as a client and/or seek justice if you are a plaintiff.
Secondly, document, document, document. Take anecdotal notes about ANY conversation of importance which you have with an administrator or supervisor. Keep them in a safe place. Dates, times, topics and people present are just a few of the things needed. Beware that sometimes benign (corrective conversations) are often the first step in a disciplinary process. If an administrator has one of those with you, seek legal counsel IMMEDIATELY. Then get counsel on how to proceed. If there is anything inappropriate our out-of-place in the nature of the conversation, consult your lawyer on how to proceed. Remember, it is VERY important to always correct any written record if it is wrong! Let me say that one more time, you need to correct the written record(in writing) if it is wrong. I prefer handwritten notes. ALWAYS listen to what is not said in a conversation.
The next post will define what a hostile work environment is, and how to proceed if you are in one of those….
Licensed thumbnail photo by Nattakorn Maneerat
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