Quote:
Originally Posted by KSig RC
I disagree completely - if teachers want to be treated as professionals, they must act as professionals at all times. Attorneys are subject to discipline from their respective bar associations for "off-duty" actions, and many other professions have similar codes of conduct.
There is indeed something "professional" about the initial call - the kid was asking an (apparently) earnest question that was well within the job guidelines for the guy he called. The wife chose to make a scene, even though it was completely outside of her "authority" or responsibility.
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Right, but does your code of conduct cover responding rudely on your home phone or face sanctions from the bar? I doubt it. Sure if the professional organization established a pattern of bad behavior the bar or professional organization might take action, but I really doubt you'd be suspended for treating someone who called you at home rudely. As a matter of fact, I suspect there are very few things that aren't actually criminal or expressly spelled out by a code that the Bar would address with you.
Again, I don't think what the women did was a good idea, and I agree that you're better off acting professionally any time you might be observed by member of the public. But I don't think she should face disciplinary actions for responding to a phone call at home in a rude, but not criminal or obscene, way. (If she had threatened the kid or something similar, then I'd feel different, but just something along the lines of "quit being a brat," nope.)
The kid should not have called the guy at home. If he sincerely wanted a professional response to his question, he should have pursued it within appropriate and professional channels. Calling the guy's house was out of line. I wouldn't call it harassment, but it shouldn't become acceptable.