It must be summer - 'Big Brother' is back on our screens, offering plenty of dramatic disputes. Slightly more productive, though no less emotional, were the scenes at my recent training workshop with daycare providers venting their frustrations caused by troublesome staff.
Sadly, it seems the attitudes of a few practitioners are more befitting reality TV than a quality childcare setting. I'm shocked to hear so many tales of aggressive behaviour and tardy time-keeping, which disrupt the harmony of nursery life. Enabling environments? I think not.
What adds to their frustration is that so many nursery managers feel unable to act, confused by the law and scared to discipline staff when conduct falls woefully below the high standards expected. Those who subscribe to HR helplines suggest the urge to act decisively is often reined in by cautious advisors, acting in the interest of risk-averse insurance companies - their priority being to avoid compensation payouts. Fair enough, but what of the ongoing cost of a disruptive staff member and the impact on team morale?
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