The IEU joined federal Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Murray Watt at St Francis Xavier College, Florey, ACT, for a press conference to mark the new right to disconnect coming into force on 26 August.
“Clocking off used to mean something, but now technology means that many teachers are feeling pressured to respond to emails late into the night,” Minister Watt said.
“The Albanese government’s new legislation means workers can’t be punished for not responding to unreasonable requests at work. A well-rested educator is a better educator.”
IEU rep Jacob Betts, who is also the Science Coordinator at St Francis Xavier College, said: “Professional obligations and expectations have been encroaching on our personal time for many years, and this ramped up during the pandemic period.
“Teachers are already carrying heavy workloads. We need the right to disconnect to protect our wellbeing so we can in turn look after our students. It will help prevent burnout by enabling a better work-life balance so we can enjoy uninterrupted time with our own families and friends in the evenings and on weekends.”
Betts was introduced by St Francis Xavier Principal and IEU member Sandra Darley, who spoke of her support for the right to disconnect.
IEUA NSW/ACT Branch Secretary Carol Matthews said: “As of today, school staff will not have to be available to respond to calls or emails from parents or students in the evenings or during weekends, and they will not have to respond to non-urgent emails from their principal or employer. They can draw a line in the sand.”
The right to disconnect was passed in February this year as part of the ‘Closing Loopholes’ changes to the Fair Work Act, aimed at enhancing the rights of working people, which also included stronger rights for union delegates.
Two months on, Betts says the significance of the new right so far is that it’s down in black and white. “Many schools support the spirit of it, but getting it in writing to make sure you’re covered gives the security of knowing you’re supported if something comes up on a weekend and you haven’t responded,” he said at the IEU’s AGM on 26 October.
“Many of us find it hard to step away, so it’s good to know we’re protected when we do.”
He noted that some schools have adopted an auto-reply option for weekend emails that includes an emergency contact.