Who else had just received Gillian Keegan’s round-robin email thanking us teachers for everything we’ve done? I guess it’s nice to be recognised by someone who has famously “done a "f***ing good job" while others “have been sat on their a***s”, even if she does say so herself.
But is this thanks heartfelt? Is it genuine? Does it mean anything coming from someone who had never set foot inside a classroom in her adult life before becoming Education Secretary? Let’s take a closer look at what she said…
"Thank You For Your Hard Work This Term" – A Translation Guide
Oh, look, it's that time of year again! The generic "Thank you for your hard work this term" email has landed in your inbox. Don't be fooled – this isn't some heartfelt expression of gratitude. It's corporate speak, carefully crafted to say the bare minimum while sounding vaguely appreciative. Let's break it down:
"Thank you for your hard work..." Translation: "We realize you exist and have, technically, been performing your job duties. Don't get too excited, though."
"...this term" Translation: "This blanket appreciation applies to the vaguely defined period before the next round of performance reviews. Specific examples of your brilliance? We couldn't be bothered."
Why the Charades?
The Illusion of Caring: The Department for Education love to appear as though they value their teaching staff. This email is the bare minimum to maintain that facade.
Guilt Mitigation: It's vaguely guilt-assuaging for your Mrs Keegan. They've fired off a mass email, thus fulfilling their quarterly obligation to acknowledge your existence.
A Preemptive Strike: This could be an attempt to soften the blow of a lackluster bonus or an upcoming round of impossible performance goals. "But hey, at least they said thank you, right?"
When It Really Stings
The true cynicism of this email kicks in when you know you've gone above and beyond. You've sacrificed weekends, pulled all-nighters, and delivered stellar results. And your reward? The same mass-produced "thank you" as the person who's been coasting on autopilot all term.
A Cynic's Survival Guide
Lower Your Expectations: If you expect genuine recognition, you'll be perpetually disappointed. Consider this email the equivalent of a participation trophy.
Laugh, Don't Cry: Find a fellow office cynic to commiserate with. Sarcasm is your best defense against corporate absurdity.
Remember Your Worth Don't let a generic email dictate how you value yourself. If your company consistently fails to recognize your effort, maybe it's time to dust off your resume.
The Bottom Line
The "Thank you for your hard work this term" email is a masterclass in corporate doublespeak. While a genuine thank you can be motivating, this version is more likely to induce eye-rolls than warm fuzzies.
I find it deeply saddening that, in the revolving door of the Department for Education, we never seem to get anyone who actually understands the important long-term relevance of education. Anyway, thanks for your kind lip-service, Gillian, I’m sure you’ll be free of us pesky teachers soon enough.
