29 April 2025 

Term 2 Women’s e-News

Key topics:

• Know your work rights – Parental leave and student free days. 
• Eye on super.
• Free online event – Monash University and Fair Agenda.
   

Know your work rights – Parental leave and student free days 

The QTU regularly assists members in accessing their parental leave entitlements, as provided for under the Industrial Relations Act 2016 Qld (the act) and the Paid Parental Leave directive 08/24 (the directive).

Whether you work in a school or at TAFE, the basic point is a logical one. You must be paid for the work you performed before starting paid parental leave. Understanding how this is applied can be challenging at times, but your Union is here to assist.

One of the most misunderstood aspects for members in the school sector is payment for student free days (SFDs) if the employee has started parental leave but did the work before doing so.

Example:
Q: I started paid parental leave during Term 1. I worked 10 PD hours for Easter at the start of the year. I noticed in my payslip that those two days have been treated as parental leave instead of as school vacation days. Is this right?  
A: No. If you have undertaken the 10 flexible SFD hours prior to your leave, then you must be paid for the work you performed.   

How can I get this fixed?
You should ask your principal to email payroll stating something to the effect of: “[Teacher] completed ten flexible professional development hours for 16-17 April across the January SFDs prior to leave commencement on [DATE]. Could you please ensure [Teacher] is paid for the hours worked.” 

Why is it the principal who tells payroll, and wouldn’t payroll already know?
No. In each Queensland state school, workers determine through their LCC how to schedule flexible PD hours. Payroll does not know each school’s PD schedule. Your principal is the link between you and payroll and they will have to ensure that you are paid for work performed.

What about TAFE and CQU members?
The directive has a specific provision for school teachers, but this does not apply to members employed by TAFE and CQU. 

That said, the argument regarding recognition of work performed before leave begins still applies and should be understood when planning leave dates.

Non-attendance time (NAT) in TAFE and reflection and professional preparation (RPP) in CQU are both entitlements that recognise work performed. NAT and RPP should be accessed prior to starting leave. Members needing advice should contact the QTU.

Eye on super

From our partners at QSuper (part of Australian Retirement Trust (ART)) 

Have you been seeing markets shift lately and wondering what it means for your super?    
With everything happening globally, it’s natural to question if you should be doing something different with your retirement savings.  

ART has released a bonus episode of Super Insider - created in response to the questions its members are asking right now. ART Chief Economist Brian Parker and Education expert Josh van Gestel unpack what’s driving market movements, what history teaches us about downturns, and what to focus on with your super.  

Super Insider is regularly hosted by Anne Fucs, ART’s Executive General Manager of Advice, Guidance and Education. For QTU members interested in learning more and feeling confident about the future, this might be one to add to your podcast schedule.

Product issued by Australian Retirement Trust Pty Ltd. Consider the PDS and TMD before deciding at //art.com.au/pds. 

Free online event – Monash University and Fair Agenda

Fair Agenda is hosting a free online event for interested educators, parents, grandparents and carers regarding a new education resource: An Introductory Guide to the Manosphere and the Impacts for Young People, Teachers and Schools.

This guide is part of a project by Monash University researchers to develop and pilot a professional learning program to address the harmful impacts of the manosphere in Australian schools.

6.30pm -7:30pm AEST
Monday 11 May
Online - Register here to RSVP

​​​​​​​Kind regards,

​​​​Gillian Crotty
QTU Assistant Secretary - Women’s Coordinator, Social Welfare Issues