Queensland teachers push for the right to ignore calls and emails after school ends
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Teachers ask to ignore calls, texts and emails from parents, students and even their own colleagues after the school bell rings
- Public school teachers in QLD would be allowed to ignore calls after school ends
- The ‘digital detox’ deal is being pushed by the Queensland Teachers Union
- Push is designed to help teachers have a better work-life balance
- Union said that on average, teachers worked nearly double their schedule hours
Teachers could soon be given the right to ignore calls, texts and emails from parents, students and their colleagues as soon as the school bell rings.
The ‘digital detox’ deal is being pushed by the Queensland Teachers Union, with teachers being asked to vote on the issue at midnight on Tuesday.
The deal is part of a three-year corporate agreement proposed by the union, and will allow teachers at public schools in the Sunshine State to ignore messages or calls after they’re clocked out.
The proposal aims to provide a better work-life balance for educators, and if accepted by the union, will go to the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission for approval.
Teachers could soon have the right to ignore calls, texts and emails from parents, students and their colleagues as soon as the school bell rings (stock image)
“The department is committed to minimizing digital communications with employees to ensure work-life balance while meeting operational needs,” the company agreement states.
“Employees are encouraged to disconnect from digital technologies and communications when they have access to rest, weekends and furlough/holiday periods, except in exceptional circumstances.”
Wages for teachers in Queensland could also rise by 20 per cent over the next three years, if the deal goes through, to cover living costs.
This could allow head teachers to earn $153,000 a year by 2024.
Teachers are scheduled to work 25 hours a week, but union president Cresta Richardson said most work nearly double that on average.
“Weary stereotypes of teachers who work from nine to three are lazy, disrespectful and frankly untrue,” she said. The Australian.
‘Lesson preparation, grading exams, school camps, report cards, student guidance, parent contacts and many other compliance matters make up an average week. Holidays and weekends are often used to catch up and plan ahead.
Queensland Education Minister Grace Grace said the company deal would give teachers in the state ‘some of the best pay and conditions in the country’, and help encourage more people to join the workforce.
The advice is to introduce the digital detox for teachers nationwide.
The deal aims to provide educators in Queensland with a better work-life balance so they can enjoy their time outside the classroom