School principals' unethical behaviors towards teachers and the causes of unethical behaviors

The objective of this study is to investigate the opinions and perceptions of teachers about school principals' unethical behaviors towards teachers and the causes of unethical behaviors. The study is based on a case study, one of the qualitative research methods. As a data collection tool is used semi-structured interview form developed by researcher. Draft of the semi structured interview form finalised through expert opinion. Purposive sampling method is used in the study. Criterion sampling and snowball sampling techniques were taken into account for determining of sample. Fourteen teachers exposed to school principals' unethical behaviors or witness to their colleagues' experiences were included in the study. The name of the participants are hidden and code names (K1, K2...) were used in this study. Interviews were recorded by tape recorder with the participants approval. The decoding of voice recordings were done by the researcher and written down in the study. The written explanations have been delivered to participants and the answers belonging to them are confirmed by the participants. Last shape is given to written explanations based on the information coming from the participants. In the end of the study, according to the teachers' views, unethical behaviors of school principals appear under five different categories 'attacks to professional situation', 'the prevention of communication', 'unrespectfulness to esteem', 'the attack to social relationships' and 'giving priority to personal interests'. It is found that unethical behaviors appear mostly under the 'attacks to professional situation' and 'the prevention of communication'; the least under 'giving priority to personal interests' category. The most frequently highlighted non-ethical behaviors by the teachers participating in the research were the disregard for equal treatment, not being sensitive about teachers' legal rights, needs and problems, failing to appreciate success, disregarding teachers' opinions, ideas and suggestions, behaving contrary to courtesy rules, abuse of power, contempt of the teacher, humiliation, rebuke, act inconsistent behaviors, being dishonest and not defending the teacher. Views on the causes of unethical behaviors were expressed under three headings: Reasons attributable to the school principal, teacher and institution-centered reasons. It has been found that school principals can exhibit unethical behaviors due to factors such as lack of effective management and communication skills, personality traits, personal problems and moral values. Teacher-bound reasons include being young and inexperienced or experienced, submitting to injustice or seeking rights, being loved and respected by students and parents, and being successful. Factors such as excessive stressful work environment, inadequacy of opportunities at schools and existence of many problems, demands of superiors and parents, and their pressure are also expressed as institution-centered reasons. Keywords: School Principal, Teacher, Unethical Behavior, Causes of Unethical Behavior.