Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1526751
ADVOCACY CORNER 13 FALL 2024 | ADVOCATE The AEA Help Desk e AEA Advocacy Help Desk provides fast, easy and expert assistance to AEA members for questions about employment concerns, including: • Discipline • Accusations of criminal conduct • Discrimination • Evaluations • Contract issues • Grievances Tips for Urgent Situations and Emergencies For any meeting where an adverse employment action may arise, ask administration to schedule the meeting so that your local representative can attend. If your request is refused, listen, respond to the questions asked with limited factual information, and ask to supplement the questions a er you have spoken with a representative. If you can't reach a local leader or representative, reach out to the AEA Help Desk. If law enforcement wants to speak with you about employment-related criminal misconduct, politely tell the o cer that as an AEA member, you have been advised not to speak to law enforcement until you have consulted with counsel. en, contact the AEA Help Desk right away. Be Prepared and Proactive Don't wait Report anything you believe to be the basis of a formal complaint as soon as you can. Reach out to your local union and to AEA. Document everything Take notes, and save copies of emails and other documents. Send follow-up emails a er meetings with your understanding of what happened, what was agreed and any next steps. Stay professional Don't post your frustrations on social media, and don't let your emotions make you say something you will regret. Instead, reach out to your union. Remember: you aren't alone! Build collective power ere's strength in numbers. Talk to your colleagues about whether they're experiencing the same problems and encourage them to join our union! We're more powerful when we're together. Legal Publications Ask for a copy of any of these AEA Legal Department publications by submitting a request through the AEA Help Desk: • Arizona Revised Statutes Reference Guide • Child Abuse • Deadlines for Legal Action • Employee Rights for Arizona Teachers Employment Dis- crimination • Education Support Professionals Employment Problems • Evaluation Concerns • Falsely Accused • Fingerprint Clearance Cards • Frequently Asked Questions • Free Speech for School Employees • Guide to Grievances in Arizona Schools • Helping School Employees with Parent Relationships • Interpreting School Policies • Reporting Serious Misconduct • Requesting Public Records • Resigning • Suggestions for Appropriate use of Technology • Suggestions for Assisting Falsely Accused School Employees • Sexual Harassment • Should You Sue Your Employer? • Tips for Witnesses • Violence and reats at School • Writing Persuasively Your Union Has Your Back arizonaea.org/helpdesk