QTAD Q&A
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 123 No 5, 27 July 2018, p29
I am getting married over the September holidays and have been told that I can access marriage leave. Is this paid or unpaid?
You may be granted up to five working days special leave without pay, provided that the maximum period of absence from duty (including any mid-year vacation period) does not exceed 15 working days.
For permanent teachers, where the unpaid marriage leave is granted on only one side of a vacation, the vacation will be with pay. Please note that where unpaid leave is granted on both sides of a vacation, no payment will be made for the vacation.
For temporary teachers, vacation pay will not be paid if accessing unpaid leave either before or after any mid-year vacation.
Marriage leave will not be granted to extend summer vacation.
Can you please let me know if I am able to access leave to attend my daughter’s wedding?
Up to one day’s leave without pay may be granted for a teacher to attend a wedding in an official capacity or as a guest in accordance with discretionary leave provisions.
Can my principal ask me to attend a meeting with them before school at 8am or after school?
The principal has the capacity to call a staff meeting outside of school hours in accordance with the Education (General Provisions) Act. This is the only meeting you are required to attend outside of rostered duty time and therefore you cannot be compelled to attend other meetings outside of rostered duty time, i.e. before/after school or during meal breaks. Part-time teachers are not required to attend school staff meetings on days they are not rostered to work.
Can the principal direct me to attend a meeting during my NCT?
The award entitlement to non-contact time may be used for the preparation, planning and correction of class activities, and it is for teachers to decide what tasks they will complete during it (Reference: 2.2.3 Certified Agreement 2016).
Award entitlement to NCT is 210 minutes per week for secondary teachers (full-time) and 120 minutes per week for primary school teachers (full-time).
When teachers receive an over-allocation of NCT, the principal may decide how it is used, i.e. above-award entitlement. (Reference: 2.2.6 Certified Agreement 2016).
My principal has requested to meet with me in relation to performance. Should I take a support person?
Yes, teachers meeting formally with administration to discuss performance issues or changes that may impact on them can ask that a support person accompany them. Generally, a support person should come from within the workplace (QTU Representative or colleague) where possible.
The role of the support person is not to advocate on behalf of the teacher, but to observe and ensure the meeting progresses smoothly and that the teacher is being treated fairly. The support person may also take notes during the meeting for later reflection.