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DO PART TIME TEACHERS AND SCHOOL SUPPORT EMPLOYEES HAVE TO ATTEND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OR OTHER ACTIVITIES OUTSIDE NORMAL WORK DAYS?
Many part-time staff find they are expected to attend professional development and other school activities outside their normal hours or days of work. You can say no to these activities and if you choose to attend, you are entitled to payment. This applies to induction sessions as well as other PD activities.
In addition to the regulation of hours found our Award and Agreement, the legal principle is that a part-time employee is entitled to supplement her or his income with other employment. If you are "required" to attend outside your contracted hours, you may have to sacrifice payment from another job, pay child- care fees, or your other employer won't give you time off to attend.
Whether you actually have another job is immaterial - the principle is the same - if the school has contracted you for part time hours, the remaining time is your own, to do with as you choose.
It is prudent to check beforehand whether or not you will be paid. Principals often say that it is not compulsory, however "it would be great if you could be there". Many part time staff feel they will miss out if they don't attend.
If the Principal does not mention payment for your attendance is his/her real message that your time doesn't have any value; or alternatively, the activity isn't of great value?
If your employer asks you to attend without discussing payment, ask your union colleagues how they feel about it, and contact your Union Organiser for strategies on how to work together to achieve fair recompense for your time.
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