Late for work? Give me 20!
December 8, 2008 by Fred HosierPosted in: Dubious decisions, In this week's e-newsletter, Latest News & Views
Why didn’t someone in HR think of this sooner? Push-ups as discipline for being late to work.
A British teacher came up with the idea for students to do push-ups as punishment for arriving late to class.
The unnamed teacher worked at the Derby Moor Community Sports College, so it seemed fitting to give students physical activity for lateness.
The school didn’t see it that way. It suspended the teacher and is investigating.
A representative for the teachers’ union said, “it’s political correctness gone mad.”
The school issued a statement saying its “priority is to ensure that students are happy to be in school.”
Tags: discipline, fired, lateness
December 12th, 2008 at 10:30 am
Wow, when did schools priorities change. I thought the priority of schools were to teach students. I didn’t realize it was more important to like being there even if you weren’t learning anything. This is totally ridiculous. The student wasn’t harmed and may think twice before being late again and besides it will get the students blood pumping and maybe kick their brain in gear to learn which is what they are there for right?
December 12th, 2008 at 10:48 am
Outstanding Reply its great to see someone thinking out there!!!!
December 12th, 2008 at 11:49 am
I totally agree with Terra. Besides, isn’t it the Derby Moor Community Sports College??? Let the teacher TEACH!!
December 12th, 2008 at 11:50 am
If I was late to my english class I had to stand up for half the lecture. It did not impare my learning and I did think twice about being late. teachers that think outside of the box inspire thier students to take learning into the students responsibility. I think this teacher had a great idea.
December 12th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
Our drafting teacher did this back in high school, very effective. Too many students today (gen-y) have the I’ll do what I want attitude’s. Need to go back to “for every action there’s possibly a consequence”.
December 12th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
I actually had a teacher do this in my 6th grade class about 25 years ago. The first tardy was 10 push-ups, the second was 20, the third was 30, etc. One of my class mates had to do 80. For most students it encouraged us to be on time, but for some they’d rather do push-ups than be on time from recess. Unfortunately there isn’t a one punishment fits all. I don’t know of any issues that came up from this punishment but then again that was back in the day we got real ’swats’ with a real wooden paddle with holes drilled into it. Every type of discipline is an issue these days and that is the real problem!
December 12th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
I think its great! Maybe if more teachers inacted such methods we would have a more dependable workforce to hire from. Kids should be taught reprecussions of their actions, that will spur responsible adults.
December 12th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
I agree with Terra. Get their blood flowing and heart pumping. It never killed anyone. In the 60’s and 70’s, principals and teachers were allowed to spank. No one died from it. They were maybe embarrassed but I bet they thought twice about doing it again. Let the teacher teach the way they see fit. Again, it’s a sports college. I would imagine any sport a student is involved with has a warm up, which would probably include push ups.