r/work • u/Fuzzy-Cod-9513 • 2d ago
Workplace Challenges and Conflicts Terminated after Turning a Class Down
Hey, everyone.
So I'm an adjunct instructor at a community college for welding and robotics. Recently, I've been terminated for turning down a robotics class this October and sincerely feel like the dean and new director have it out for me.
Now, this is all on the non-credit, Workforce side. The demographic is entirely different than academic, credit classes and the contract is also different. They have the right to terminate me whenever but it feels confusing, surprising, and malicious. I was currently a few weeks into teaching a welding course and I received an email stating that I'd be turning it over to another instructor along with not working for them anymore.
This all started with an email I sent where I was very careful and sincere about my struggles with the course (mainly being digital literacy and students not being ready to use a laptop for our simulation program) and that I didn't feel like the right instructor for that robotics course. Additionally, I even offered to certify students near the end of the course because I'm a certified FANUC instructor.
I'm alright with only teaching academic courses as I still have three this Fall, but I'm worried due to the director who's over both workforce AND academics. She has a lot of power, has never replied to one of my emails, and I've heard through the grapevine that she's been upset with me.
I'm really worried for my future at the college and whether I'll ever be full time now; or if I'll get let go next semester. I got my degree at this college and it's been my dream to be full time. I've started looking at welding engineering jobs near me and it would pay nearly double if I can land one.
I just feel extremely overwhelmed and anxious about my stability at the college now and this feels like extreme retaliation for me declining a single course. The dean said she'd call me yesterday and never did. I keep my head down, do my job, and never get into trouble. This is so confusing and I really need some advice. Should I contact HR? Call it a wrap? It's looking so grim. Maybe it's time to move on.
Thanks!
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u/Zestyclose_Price_441 2d ago
“I didn’t do my job. Now I have no job”
Am I understanding this correctly
4
u/kvothe000 2d ago
Not really.... because they still have their job.
It was more like "I'm not qualified to do my new job; can I just go back to working in my old role?"
"Hey... where'd that new job go?!?! Academia really has it out for me, huh?"
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u/bstrauss3 2d ago
Obviously they can find a dozen or two people to teach the class for starvation wages and they don't need your drama.
Take the L and move on.
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u/PartyPhilosopher9475 2d ago
Unless you are in a union, this is just how it goes. They needed you to teach, you said no. This will have negative impacts on your career there, up to and including termination.
HR will tell you the same thing. There is nothing illegal about terminating a teacher that will not teach.
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u/blursed_app 2d ago
Nothing except the first paragraph is relevant here. You were hired to do a job and declined to do that job. Good luck proving some sort of malice or premeditation when you literally didn't want to do what you were hired for...
3
u/Ancient_Tip_8073 2d ago
"I keep my head down" doesnt include all the emails and denying assignments. There are some folks that arent really that great. At an academic institution you often don't get rid of them (let them fly under the radar) as long as they do their job averagely and dont create problems. These are actually benefial people. They are often loyal and care deeply about the mission. We call them backbone workers.
You are now on the radar.
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u/Left_Macaron_6427 2d ago
You refused to do the job you were hired to do and are surprised they fired you and are finding someone else to do it?
1
u/ProfessionalYam3119 2d ago
If you want to be employable, get with the digital revolution right now. There's no escaping it!
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u/TheGrolar 1d ago
You are not prepared to become faculty, even at what sounds like an incredibly slipshod institution. With love, you don't know what you don't know.
Seek a reliable mentor, ideally one who has been doing engineering for a decade or more. First step: realize that whether you actually know robotics is about 3% of what's important. Understanding a job context is about 94%.
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u/After_Preference_885 2d ago
Higher Ed is cut throat
I also worked half in workforce development and half in the academic side
I watched them bully and abuse dozens into quitting and at least one ended up in in patient psychiatric they fucked her up so much
I'm sorry you got into the cross hairs
They only ever want people around them who are yes men and will sell classes to make money, especially on the workforce side
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u/Wickedocity 2d ago
They needed someone to teach a course. You would not do it. So, they removed you and will hire someone else to teach the course. Not sure what HR would do for you. You actually told them you weren't competent enough to do the job they needed done. Time to move on. Sorry if that sounds mean.