Term 2 update for supply teachers, 27 April 2020

 

The QTU has been in regular, daily contact with the Department of Education during the pandemic crisis, and has taken part in a range of key stakeholder meetings.  In these forums, the QTU has been actively advocating for temporary teachers.

As a result of this advocacy, the QTU has been able to secure payment for supply teachers who missed out on work in week ten of Term 1.  This was calculated by averaging the days worked in weeks eight and nine.  These weeks were selected because the QTU asked the department to conduct a sweep to see when the most TRS had been used by schools, and the results showed that the highest use of TRS had occurred in these weeks.

The QTU is currently advocating for a similar process in Term 2 to provide financial remuneration to supply teachers who have lost work. 

The Term 2 Operating Guidelines for Queensland State Schools states: “Principals should develop a plan to have an additional 10-20 per cent relief staff available and trained in their school’s home-based learning approach to help manage any teaching staff absence”.  However, the QTU understands that this is not the lived reality in schools.

Consequently, the QTU is this week working with the department on a review of the level of supply teacher engagement for the first two weeks of this term.  If the data shows that the engagement of supply and temporary teachers is down on this time last year, the Union will work with the department to try and secure some relief for supply teachers.

Important reminder

Teachers are advised to check their pay advice on 5 May to ensure that they receive the appropriate back pay for week ten, which should represent half of the total days worked over weeks eight and nine.  If you believe there is an error, contact either payroll or the HR advisory service via hradvisoryservices@qed.qld.gov.au, in the first instance.   It is good practice to keep a record of all written correspondence in relation to such enquiries.