Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/the-just-culture-model-a-roadmap-to-a-safer-environment/5021644/
Jennifer, the Pre-K classroom teacher, is talking on a cell phone as her group of four-year-old children are playing on the playground: digging in the sandpit, climbing the structure, riding tricycles on the cycle track, and playing games of tag. A child falls from the top of the structure and starts to cry. He refuses to stand. He tells Jennifer that he cannot walk because his leg hurts. After a visit to the emergency room, it is discovered that the child has a broken femur and will be in a cast for at least six weeks. A formal investigation into the incident is initiated and Jennifer meets with you in your office. When asked to explain what happened to the child, she states that she did not see the incident. Jennifer does not disclose that she was talking on a cell phone at the time; however, another member of staff shares this with you later. In the aftermath of an accident, especially one where a child is injured, the pressures on a program to respond can be great. What do you do?• Do you terminate Jennifer’s employment because she failed to follow a policy that is not only clearly ...