Emails after work hours: To connect or not connect, apparently that is a question.
Do you cringe when you open your computer after work and find new work emails in your inbox or do you just think to yourself, ‘great, I can get on top of these before tomorrow’?
Recent studies in the United Kingdom (UK), United States of America (US) — and discussion closer to home by the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) and the Australian Greens (Greens) — raise very interesting trains of thought about this issue.
In Europe, six nations have the right to disconnect laws. ACTU Secretary Sally McManus states it is essential that working people be able to disconnect. The Greens are also seeking disconnect legislation here in Australia for the same reason.
However, researchers at the University of Sussex in the UK found workers who had the right to disconnect from checking their emails after work felt more stressed than when they were allowed to do so. A US management professor states after-hours access to emails is like “parking downhill” you can get a good run at it for the next day.
Whether you can or cannot access your access your emails is really not the issue, when discussing the fundamental problem of increasing workloads in our school, the issue is: do you have control over your work, or does the work have control of you?
In the IEU office we often receive calls and stories about workers in schools who are overworked, stressed and exhausted, and that educators are leaving the profession because of this.
Why? Because they do not have genuine control over their workloads.
If you have genuine control over your work, you can decide when and how you answer that email. You can choose to answer it or leave it, and better still, not feel guilty or fearful of repercussions or recriminations because of your decision.
How do you get control of your workload at school?
Having a strong and active union presence in your school helps you collectively take action to control your workloads.
With the support of your IEU Organiser and your Sub-Branch (IEU members at your school) collectively say to management — enough is enough!
Workload is a health and safety issue and you have the right to a safe working environment and a safe system of work. Talk to your organiser about how to lodge a Hazard Report.
So what is the solution you are asking for?
The solution may vary from school to school dependent on what you negotiate for but at the very minimum, your school management should ensure that you leave entitlements are unencumbered with work calls and emails – particularly personal leave.
You have the ability to act and the right to decide. Acting collectively will strengthen your position.
Need help or advice? Contact your Organiser via our office – 8410 0122 or enquiries@ieusa.org.au
Wendy Evans
Deputy Secretary
Workcover
