Leaders' Surgery

The antidote to common leadership conundrums...

Facebook face off

Q We have had two incidents in the last few months where staff have been victims of cyberbullying on Facebook – one by a parent and one by a former pupil. In these cases we knew who the perpetrators were but I know of instances where defamatory remarks are made anonymously. Is there anything we can to do protect staff?

A This is a growing problem and one we encounter often on the ASCL hotline. Last year we commissioned some legal research into the verygreat difficulties experienced by members in trying to uncover the identity of individuals who post inappropriate and offensive material on websites. Unfortunately websites will not release this information and our research found that they cannot be forced to do so.

The quickest and most effective way of removing content from the internet is to ask the author to delete it – if you know who is responsible. You will of course want to explain rationally why the material is hurtful and why they should remove it.

If that doesn’t work or you don’t know who has posted the comments or images, report it to the company that runs the site immediately. If the posting is on Facebook, go directly to them to request that it be removed, by clicking on the ‘Report’ link located on pages throughout the site, or by email to: abuse@facebook.com For details see: www.facebook.com/safety

• ASCL is publishing more detailed guidance on social networking safety in the summer term.

Considering phased retirement

Q I’m 56 and have had a few health scares in the last 18 months. As a deputy head I think stress is a contributing factor but I don’t want to give up work completely. I’ve heard that I can take phased retirement and step down into a teaching role. How do I go about this?

A Being 55 or over and a member of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme you can consider phased retirement. This requires you to reduce your salary by at least 20 per cent either by a reduction in hours or responsibilities. Once you have the agreement of your employer, an application can be made to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme.
 You can take up to 75 per cent of the value of your pension including the lump sum (if applicable). This will be actuarially reduced if you are below your normal pension age. You then continue to contribute to your pension based on the new salary. After a minimum of a year you can take a further tranche of pension.
 
On retirement you receive a further element of pension based on the balance of your original pension plus that accrued during the phased retirement. This final pension will be calculated on the ‘best three years in the last ten’ and so will not normally be reduced by your more recent lower salary. However, if you have worked part-time the service for that period will be adjusted on a pro rata basis (for example a year at 0.5 gives six months pensionable service). For more information see: www.teacherspensions.co.uk/resources/factsheet16.htm

• The Local Government Pension Scheme has a similar provision, called flexible retirement. See www.lpfa.org.uk/members/guide/newflexibleret.aspx

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