Workload management

Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 128 No 3, 5 May 2023, page no. 18

The Principles of Good Workload Management are a vital tool in the battle against workload creep, and should always be considered when new workplace intitatives are proposed.  The new State School Teachers’ Certified Agreement further strengthened the provisions to ensure they recognise safe work environments and practices in relation to all duties, tasks and responsibilities of a role, and that all reasonable steps are taken to support teachers, heads of program and school leaders.

Excerpts from Department of Education State School Teachers’ Certified Agreement 2022:

9.3 Workload Management

9.3.1    The department is committed to providing effective work practices that support wellbeing, balance work and personal commitments and a safe work environment. As far as practicable, the work for an individual teacher, head of program and school leader is not to be unreasonable or excessive.

9.4  Principles of Good Workload Management 

9.4.1     Effective workload management requires the following:

1. Understanding that all teachers, heads of program, school leaders and managers are accountable for effective workload management.
2. Discuss and review workload. Allocation of workloads that take into account the training, skill knowledge, career and professional development of individual employees.
3. Recognise that changes occur in workplaces on a daily basis and that supervisors and/or managers are responsible for managing workloads.
4. Success depends on a strong commitment by both teachers, heads of program, school leaders and managers.
5. Equitable distribution of workloads and open and transparent decision making.
6. Support decisions that take into account the work-life balance of teachers, heads of program and school leaders.
7. Provide flexibility and discretion in applying workload management to ensure delivery, work requirements and the effectiveness and efficiency of the Department are met.
8. Maintenance of safe work environments and safe work practices in relation to all duties, tasks and responsibilities of the role, as well as additional duties which are necessary and reasonable to enhance student learning.
9. Allocation of resources to ensure both the maintenance of workloads at a reasonable level and the delivery of a high-quality service.
10. Issue escalation processes are in place. The LCC is the key mechanism for managing workload issues at the workplace level.
11. Taking all reasonable steps to support teachers, heads of program and school leaders to achieve work outcomes having regard to any risk assessments and appropriate training.