What to do about this - ethics issue?

Question

I know someone who works at a high school as a teacher aide in a science classroom. During a meeting today at the science department, the leaders and principals were so adamant about how kids should NOT be sent to the nurse if they burn themselves on a burner after a lab or if they're nauseous after a lab involving gas because then the nurse has to fill out an incident report, which then goes to risk management. If the kid is not feeling well after gas experiment, they should just go get fresh air. If they get burned, then they should just be sprayed with a burn spray. NO NURSE. They are doing this because they've been investigated before for not having the students use goggles, etc.

This person I know has said that he's ill to think that these people would care more about looking incident free rather than the kids. He is not going to complain because it took him a long time to find a job and doesn't want to risk retaliation. I say he has to do something because if a kid becomes seriously ill, or even dies, although he is not the classroom teacher, he can be held liable for KNOWING they were not following protocol to cover up. Your ideas?

He's worried about retaliation and doesn't want to leave a trail.

Answer 1

He needs to tell the nurse. Remember -- "just following orders" is not an excuse for criminal behavior.

Answer 2

You, who may not have any attachments to the school can contact the district and let them know. Maybe even the local news if you think they would find it interesting to see how the school is neglecting the kids.  

Answer 3

A very tough issue.  He should ask for a private, confidential meeting with a member of the school board.  It's likely that this directive came from the management of the school, so going there might be dangerous.  He should consult a lawyer, too, to protect his rights.  

It will take courage not to shrink from this.  I wish him well.

Answer 4

what the school is doing is grossly negligent.  parents should be told and someone needs to report it to the local school district.  any burns or gas exposure can cause long term disfigurement and health problems.

Answer 5

the schools gonna get sued...just watch