What is the best way to report an attitude problem to someone's boss

[KitchenWitch]

The back story here...the school janitor at my daughter's dance class has a serious attitude problem toward all the parents of the dancers. He has literally yelled at me, when I tried to go down the hall to use the rest room. Tonight, he had put up an easel with a sign on it that said "School personnel only beyond this point".

Okay, no big deal but he set it up like 10 feet from the entrance to the building, not allowing for enough space to get the girls' shoes changed, and for parents to wait in the hallway during class. So one of the parents picks the sign up, moves it down the hallway enough for everyone to have adequate space to take care of business, wait, etc.

The janitor awhile later comes down the hall, picks up the sign, moves it back to where it was, and DEMANDS that the parents waiting beyond the sign move to within the area between the sign and the door. He actually slammed the sign down, then had a nasty condescending grin on his face.

Most of the parents piled on him at that point. (Did I mention this is a public school building and the dance classes are through community education?) He got all uppity and told us to talk to the program director. I responded that I would. I also asked him for his boss' name and phone number. He did not want to give it out at first, and finally he did.

Then he proceded to really get into it with one of the other parents. She left in tears.

Later, he brought the principal down to talk to us, who was very kind and accomodating. I mentioned, in both the janitor's and principal's presence that I did not appreciate the janitor's attitude, and that I did not appreciate being yelled at.

I will be calling both the dance program director and the jackass janitor's boss tomorrow. How should I best approach this.

I really believe that this janitor is not working in the right location, since he is in a school building and it is apparent that he does not play well with others. One needs to have decent people skills IMHO if they are going to work in a school building, because of the possible contact with students and parents(taxpayers).

[KitchenWitch]

1. Kick

[lpbk2713]

2. If he's that way with parents .....

one can only imagine what he's like when he's one-on-one with kids. I'd say he needs an opportunity to explore the job market. Like ASAP.

[KitchenWitch]

3. Oh, I agree

This is why I am complaining. I am sure he will not get fired because he is union, but at least the complaint will be in his personnel file.

[Heidi]

4. If you choose to report, you should report only

on _behavior_. Our views about others' "attitudes" are largely value judgments; attitudes can't really be documented. :shrug:

[Robeson]

5. Agreed.

[Whoa_Nelly]

8. Good call, Heidi

However, since it's in a public school building, you can also make a complaint and voice your concerns to the school superintendent, district superintendent, and the district classified personnel manager. You do it with a phone call, and a follow-up letter sent certified mail. And although you would be commenting on behavior, it's okay to also include the interactions and interchanges that occurred.

Dang! In all my years teaching, the janitors I've known have always been realistic, accommodating and kind. Sorry this happened...dang!!! :hug:

[twenty4blackbirds]

6. let them find the solution?

mention the janitor's behaviour (not attitude) - that it does not take access into account (re. moving the sign & space makes it difficult for users of the area - kids, parents, etc).
ask them what is the best way of making sure that, because you don't appreciate being yelled at, that you won't be yelled at in future for being a user of that space.

Never been there, never been tried. But have often heard that being non-confrontational, addressing the behaviour, is more productive than being accusing. Depends on the other person of course.

[mykpart]

9. Use neutral language when describing the janitor's behavior.

[DanCa]

7. Well if it's getting to the point where it's upsetting you.

I would first ask, or try to find out if other parents in the school if they had any other problems with him. It wouldn't hurt your cause to have back up. Than I would go in with as much back up as I can and report that creep. I know you to be a fairly laid back person if he's upsetting you so much he's probably ticking off other parents.

Oh I would also be careful about who and how you ask about the Janitor. Dance schools are cliquish. Just fyi. (Personaly if it were me I'd smack the guy with my walker but I know its not your style :D)

[GoddessOfGuinness]

10. Handle it exactly as you did here...

but you might substitute the jackass part with something about uncivilized conduct. Make sure you address the issue of space; because this is your primary concern, and jackass's boss needs to make clear to him that you need more room.

Also, if there's no other available restroom, you should mention it to the JA's boss. Since you're paying for the use of the facility, it's ludicrous of him expect you to use facilities elsewhere.

Just remember to keep your cool; and if you don't receive courteous treatment or you aren't satisfied with the response, ask to have the contact information for the boss's supervisor.

:hug:

[KitchenWitch]

12. Oh, yeah, I would leave the jackass part out!

:rofl:

[BikeWriter]

17. I have a heavy wood stock cane. I would have been tempted...

[KitchenWitch]

18. I also have an oak cane

He was asking for it for sure.

[BikeWriter]

19. GMTA, Sweety. ;-)

[KitchenWitch]

20. :-)

:yourock:

[Oeditpus Rex]

11. Forget his boss

Go back to the school, find him, grab his broom and snap it in half over your knee.

Smile at him as you do it.

He'll get the message.

:evilgrin:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

13. If he doesn't

She could always just whack his ass. :spank:

[Oeditpus Rex]

14. Problem with that is

you never know who might enjoy it.

And if that happens, you got even bigger troublems.

[cynatnite]

15. Any chance of getting other parents in on this?

Seems to me the best course of action would be to get as many parents to go with you on this and it could make more of an impact.

The more parents...the better.

[KitchenWitch]

16. At least one of the other parents are going to call as well

The one who left in tears, as a matter of fact.

[BikeWriter]

21. Very good, that disagreement was uncalled for.