Holding Director Accountable

[ECEVA]

I am find it increasingly difficult to hold my director accountable for small things. I don't want to feel like I'm micromanaging. For example, teachers are not permitted to wear sweaters over their uniform shirts. They may wear a long sleeve shirt beneath if they get cold easily but nothing can go over the shirt. Today I observed several teachers with sweaters on towards the middle of the day. I brought them to her attention and she had them remove their sweaters per our uniform policy.

Any creative ways or systems on accountability at the leadership level? I understand that the teachers are making certain choices because they are allowed. How can I get my director to expect excellence for the small things too?

[Leigh]

I am find it increasingly difficult to hold my director accountable for small things. I don't want to feel like I'm micromanaging. For example, teachers are not permitted to wear sweaters over their uniform shirts. They may wear a long sleeve shirt beneath if they get cold easily but nothing can go over the shirt. Today I observed several teachers with sweaters on towards the middle of the day. I brought them to her attention and she had them remove their sweaters per our uniform policy.

Any creative ways or systems on accountability at the leadership level? I understand that the teachers are making certain choices because they are allowed. How can I get my director to expect excellence for the small things too?

I can tell you that when working with kids, it's hard enough trying to find time to use the restroom, let alone to change a long sleeved shirt that is under a uniform top as you feel cold or warm. What I think would be a good compromise is to offer a sweater or sweatshirt as part of the uniform...the employees could take it on and off as they feel the need to, and still be "within code".

I can tell you that I go from hot to cold all day long depending on my activity level. And, being such a female dominated business, it would probably be a kindness to allow other uniform options-hormones can really mess with perceived body temperature!

[lblanke]

I bet the teachers feel micromanaged. I would probably quit a job that would not allow me to put on a sweater if I got cold. Unless you are more flexible, I bet you will have time keeping really good teachers. I agree, if the uniform is that big of a deal to you, then you need to offer a variety of choices (sweaters, jackets, long sleeve, short sleeve). You do not want the teachers to have to leave the children to go change when they get uncomfortable.

[Controlled Chaos]

I get what you are saying about the staff breaking rules because they can. When I worked at a center the director had no backbone, she was nice but a terrible boss. We used to wear flip flops, and other uniform no nos because we could, she wouldn't do anything. (I was 19 I am not such a pain in the butt now ). It was also a way of acting out for us for feeling under paid, under appreciated, like we had no control in our classrooms and only smokers ever got a break. It was the worst. So my advice:
1. Take a look at the big picture first - are they really cold? problem solve if they are. is the staff over all happy? respected? supported?
2. The favorite place I worked in college had an awesome awards system. If you had zero infractions (perfect uniform, station spotless, no guest complaints) you were entered into a drawing to win a gift card or other prizes at the end of the month. You could earn getting your name put in extra for going above and beyond for other things. There was a chart in the break room with contest info and winner pics. It was fun and it made being an awesome employee "cool".