Navigating the complexities of work hours, attendance requirements, and related provisions can be challenging, especially for educators. This article aims to simplify the Victorian Government Schools Agreement 2022, providing a clear and easy-to-understand guide for teachers and education support class employees.
General Attendance and Work Hours
For full-time employees, the ordinary hours of work are 76 hours a fortnight. An employee can’t be required to undertake duties exceeding 38 hours in a week, unless certain conditions are met (subclauses 24(8) and 24(9)). Part-time employees work an agreed number of regular hours less than 76 per fortnight.
If an employee has to attend court as a Crown witness or under subpoena or summons in their official capacity, this will be treated as duty for salary purposes, provided they present evidence of their court attendance.
Attendance and Work Hours for Teachers
Teachers must be in attendance for a minimum of seven hours daily, commencing at least ten minutes before the morning pupil instructional session. This can be adjusted if agreed between the principal (as the Employer’s representative) and a teacher.
Beyond the seven hours, teachers may be required to undertake other duties for up to three hours, which may include attending meetings. However, meeting times shouldn’t exceed two hours of the additional three hours.
Any meetings held beyond the seven hours of daily attendance should be adjacent to these seven hours and not exceed one hour unless otherwise agreed using the consultative provisions of this agreement.
Teachers are entitled to a paid lunch break of not less than thirty minutes free from assigned duties between the hours 11:30am to 2:30pm.
Attendance and Work Hours for Education Support Class
Education support class employees are generally required to be in attendance for 7.6 hours daily (for a full-time employee) between 7am and 6pm from Monday to Friday. The specific duty and professional development attendance requirements and provisions during school vacation periods are outlined in detail in subclauses (ii) to (vii).
The arrangement of their ordinary hours of work, including daily starting and finishing times, lunch breaks, meeting attendance, and flexible work arrangements, should be agreed upon between the education support class employee and the Employer.
In the absence of agreed arrangements, the standard arrangement for a full-time employee will be daily start and finish times of 8:30am and 4:36pm respectively, with a 30-minute lunch break.
Education support class employees can only be required to undertake normal duties within the hours they are paid or accrue time in lieu.
They cannot be required to work more than five hours without a lunch break of a minimum duration of 30 minutes, which is unpaid and free from assigned duties between the hours of 11:30am to 2:30pm unless otherwise agreed.
In exceptional circumstances where an education support class employee is required to work and not able to take a lunch break free from assigned duties within the specific period, they will be provided with an alternate break within five hours of their commencement of work on that day.
In conclusion, understanding these attendance and work hour regulations is crucial for maintaining a healthy work-life balance. When in doubt, always refer back to the Victorian Government Schools Agreement 2022 or consult with your representative or principal for clarification.
