Question: Disgruntled Staff

Each year our PTA gives a holiday gift to the students. This year we purchased T-Shirts with the school name, and we asked the classroom teachers to help us size them correctly for each student. As a thank you we gave each classroom teacher a t-shirt for themselves since they had to help us with the gift. Since the shirt was given just prior to the holiday, other staff are angry they didn't receive one, thinking it was a holiday gift. It was given just as a thank you to the classroom teachers. Some say we should purchase shirts for everyone and make them happy. Not sure what to do - I don't want other staff angry at the PTA for what they think is an oversight, but I don't want to diminish that the classroom teachers had to give us the extra help. What to do??

Asked by forthekids

Answers:

Advice from PTO Today

Craig writes:
Interesting situation. It's a reminder of how the best intentions can sometimes be misinterpreted. We chatted about it here, and the general feeling is that you should send an email to the entire staff acknowledging all they do for the school and explaining why the teachers were given the T-shirt. If the situation warrants it, you might also consider doing some appreciation effort in the next few weeks that includes both teachers and staff. Good luck!

Community Advice

ziggerbean writes:
It never ceases to amaze me when people get disgruntled because they didn't receive a gift. We had a similar situation and it deflated our board. Thankfully our principal supported us and basically told the supporting staff that it was rude to complain and try to demand it from the PTO. They eventually got over it.