November 2020
HOSES Workload reduction campaign newsletter : Number 3
HOSES work to rule ballot
Earlier this year, the QTU established a HOSES Workload Campaign Group comprising 13 HOSES from across the state. This group has considered options regarding HOSES workload reduction, one being ceasing duties that are clearly not consistent with the HOSES role description.
Chronology of events
- In March, HOSES were sent the first edition of the HOSES Workload Campaign Newsletter, in which members were asked to identify duties/responsibilities inconsistent with the role description.
- In June, the second edition of the newsletter was sent, and again members were given the opportunity to identify duties/responsibilities inconsistent with the role description.
- In Term 3, the HOSES Workload Campaign Group considered the member feedback and identified 10 duties/responsibilities inconsistent with the role description.
- In August 2020, HOSES were sent a workload questionnaire and were asked, among other issues, to indicate if they agreed or disagreed that the following duties were inconsistent with the role description.
- Responsibility for annual performance reviews and exit summary and observation reports (ESORs) for teachers who HOSES do not line manage or who are not attached to the SEP.
- Coordination of medication for students other than students with a disability.
- Development of and responsibility for medical documents to be uploaded for students who are not students with a disability.
- Responsibility for emergency health plans for students who are not students with a disability.
- Responsibility for development of behaviour plans for students who are not students with a disability.
- Provision and coordination of behaviour support for students who do not have a disability.
- Responsibility for education support funding program (ESFPs) applications for students who are not students with a disability.
- Responsibility for students with low achievement but who are not students with a disability.
- Responsibility for part-time enrolment processes for students who do not have a disability.
- Responsibility for alternative education program documents for students who do not have a disability.
The vast majority of HOSES who responded indicated they agreed the above duties were inconsistent with the role description, and also agreed they were prepared to participate in a ballot later in the year to consider ceasing these duties in 2021.
The HOSES Campaign Group met later in Term 3, considered the questionnaire data, and recommended that the QTU Executive approve the conduct of an online ballot of HOSES in Term 4.
HOSES work to rule online ballot
The QTU Executive has approved the conduct of an online ballot of HOSES members to determine if the majority are in favour of ceasing the following nine duties from the beginning of the 2021 school year. Please note, one of the duties included in the questionnaire has been removed from the list. In the following duties, students with a disability are those students identified in the NCCD process.
- Responsibility for annual performance reviews and exit summary and observation Reports (ESORs) for teachers who HOSES do not line manage or who are not attached to the SEP.
- Coordination of medication for students other than students with a disability.
- Development of and responsibility for medical documents and uploaded for students who are not students with a disability.
- Responsibility for development of behaviour plans for students who are not students with a disability.
- Provision and coordination of behaviour support for students who do not have a disability.
- Responsibility for education support funding program (ESFPs) applications for students who are not students with a disability.
- Responsibility for students with low achievement but who are not students with a disability.
- Responsibility for part-time enrolment processes for students who do not have a disability.
- Responsibility for alternative education program documents for students who do not have a disability.
This newsletter provides HOSES with the information they require to participate in the online ballot (accessed by clicking on the link below).
Work to rule Action
This action, as the title suggests, is about only undertaking duties and responsibilities that are consistent with the role description. This action, if implemented, is not industrial action, as HOSES would only be ceasing nine duties (see above) that should not be part of the HOSES role because they do not align with the role description. The nine duties relate to either students other than students with a disability, or to staff who are not part of the special education program (SEP) and do not report to a HOSES.
Discussions with the Department of Education
During the conduct of the online ballot, the QTU will be discussing the proposed work to rule action with the department and will give it the opportunity to communicate with schools later this term, advising principals that the nine duties listed should not be undertaken by HOSES in 2021. If they agree to this request, we will inform HOSES and suspend the work to rule campaign.
If the department does not agree to the QTU’s request, the QTU Executive will consider the ballot outcome later this term and decide whether to issue a directive to HOSES that they not undertake the nine duties from the beginning of the 2021 school year.
Further Enquiries
The ballot will be open until 5pm on Friday 20 November. If you have questions about the ballot and/or the proposed work to rule action, please contact Jeff Backen (Assistant Secretary) on 3551 1936 or email: services@qtu.asn.au.
To vote in the online work to rule ballot, please click on this link.
Jeff Backen
Assistant Secretary
Authorised by Kate Ruttiman, General Secretary, Queensland Teachers' Union
21 Graham Street, Milton, QLD, Australia, 4064