Have you been asked about your work intentions for 2024?
It is around this time of year that members contact us with a question along the lines of “my principal has asked about my intentions for next year, do I have to tell them yet?”
While it is quite understandable that a school would want to have an idea of their staffing for the following year, at this early stage for most members you wouldn’t need to confirm just yet.
Be aware, the answer to this question depends a lot on your circumstances and role:
- It could be that a school staff member is on leave (eg. long service, parental, leave without pay) and has a right to further leave, however, the school may just need to get a sense if the staff member is going to enact that right. For members in this circumstance, there is a requirement to give a specified amount of notice – usually in the order of 10 weeks, but each EA will have different timeframes and requirements for notifying employers.
If you are in this situation it is important that you contact us for advice. - The school may be asking you whether you plan to take any Long Service Leave in 2024 as many schools won’t allocate SACE Stage 2 classes to senior school teachers if they are having a term of leave.
- If a member has indicated they might want to reduce their work fraction in order to transition to retirement and so a school is wanting confirmation.
Whilst examples 2 and 3 don’t have a specified notice period it may be reasonable to consider this now.
Our consistent advice to members is once you have made a definite decision then it is likely to be in everyone’s interest that you let your employer know, regardless of the notice period.
If you haven’t made up your mind or need to seek further advice then in most circumstances that would be reasonable.
As always your union is here to assist with that advice; particularly as it is likely to interact with Long Service Leave and may have implications for other leave or future entitlements.
Contact our office on 8410 0122 or enquiries@ieusa.org.au
