November 17 was “Go home on time day”. A new report from the Centre for Future Work (part of the Australia Institute) reveals that the average number of unpaid hours Australian employees are putting in is on the rise, with many doing 6.1 hours a week of additional unpaid work. We know teaching and support staff workloads are heavy. We asked what’s required of you and here’s what you told us.
Working in education you cannot possibly do the documentation required in paid face-to-face hours. Children require engagement and connection which is where you learn most about them. Add reporting to class prep and yes it becomes much more at some times of the year.
I just spent three hours planning for my sick day tomorrow only to be told they can’t find a casual and I have to go in!
So much for ‘wellbeing’!
Right now it is extra data analysis for end-of-year prize giving. No time during the day to do this as there are classes to teach, students to engage with and colleagues to interact with. My kids are used to mummy working from after dinner until way past their bedtime because there is always something that needs doing. I have made a conscious effort for no work on weekends so put in the extra time during the week.
Hybrid learning (in class and online while students are home) is taking extra hours to prep for classes. Some weeks I think I could work an extra 10-15 hours outside school hours.
It’s not just the extra tasks, it’s the things that are now considered ‘core’ which are eating into our lives with our families. There is no time for a life outside teaching, but we are only paid to work seven hours a day for five days.
[I work] at least 10 hours extra every week. At least! Some weekends can be eight to 15 hours of marking – just over the weekend!
So, according to the website (Go home on time: bit.ly/31923Lg), I’m losing 1040 hours a year. How about you guys?