A disciplinary hearing has found that a construction lecturer’s behaviour towards a woman teacher – which included simulating a sexual act on her in the classroom – amounted to bullying and sexual harassment.
A disciplinary hearing found that Jeffrey McMail did not 'behave professionally or with respect'
A Fitness to Practice Committee of the Education Workforce Council, found an allegation of unacceptable professional conduct proven against construction lecturer Jeffrey McMail.
The allegations related to the 50-year-old’s behaviour while he was employed as a Further Education (FE) lecturer at Coleg Gwent between January and August 2015.
'Unacceptable'
The disciplinary hearing found Mr McMail did not “behave professionally or with respect” towards a young woman teacher – referred to as Colleague A to protect her identity – who was eventually forced to quit her job.
It relates to a classroom incident in April 2015, when McMail was found to have grabbed Colleague A by the arms, pushed her backwards onto his desk, and lay on her before simulating a sexual act.
In July 2015 Mr McMail was also found to have said to another colleague words to the effect of: “Do me a favour mate, just s*** her will you? She needs it.”
On another occasion in the staff room he also suggested she perform a sex act on herself with an object he was holding.
The committee concluded Mr McMail’s conduct during these incidents amounted to “bullying and/or sexual harassment”.
During the hearing Cadi Dewi, presenting officer, said there was a “culture of teasing” and “banter” at their college – but Mr McMail’s behaviour became “unacceptable”.
Disciplinary decision
Ms Dewi said: “There was a culture of language which may have been considered appropriate in another environment which may have become normalised to McMail and his colleagues.
“There was an entrenched and long-standing culture in the department where colleagues saw nothing wrong with their behaviour.
“Colleague A says while she was open to the behaviour for some time, the behaviour of Mr McMail in particular escalated to an unacceptable level.”
The hearing has been adjourned and has been rescheduled to a later date at which point the committee will determine whether or not it is appropriate to impose a disciplinary order against Mr McMail’s registration as an FE teacher.
see-http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/lecturer-found-bullied-sexually-harassed-11953124
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