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Catholic schoolteachers in Queensland are reportedly being overworked, affecting their ability to teach.
According to the Independent Education Union Queensland and Northern Territory Branch (IEU-QNT), Queensland Catholic school employers are being called out for not addressing issues that are causing stress, burnout, and reduced efficiency.
IEU-QNT secretary Terry Burke said attention and some form of plan to reduce the stress of these teachers are needed: “The current workload crisis is fuelled by additional administrative tasks, data collection and paperwork.
“Meaningful interventions are needed to ease workload pressures caused by new employer initiatives, government regulations and growing parental expectations.”
According to Mr Burke, unions have presented potential solutions that have not been put to use.
“Our union has put forward a significant set of items that would address the workload crisis currently experienced by Catholic school employees. Queensland Catholic school employers have put forward none,” Mr Burke said.
“They simply have no plan to address this crisis in their schools. No plan to support and assist their teachers and other school staff. No plan to protect the future of quality education provided to students in Queensland Catholic schools.”
Mr Burke noted that these issues have affected the industry for almost a decade and that these issues should have been addressed years ago.
“Workload and work intensification aren’t issues that have suddenly arisen. Queensland Catholic school employers have had close to a decade of calls to address these issues — yet have done nothing,” explained Mr Burke.
“What is even worse is that employers are pushing back on sensible, negligible cost proposals to address the workload in schools. No wonder teachers and other school staff are saying enough is enough and leaving the sector.”
He added: “This isn’t a sustainable situation, and Queensland Catholic school employers are failing the sector and failing their employees.”
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Employees experience burnout when their physical or emotional reserves are depleted. Usually, persistent tension or dissatisfaction causes this to happen. The workplace atmosphere might occasionally be the reason. Workplace stress, a lack of resources and support, and aggressive deadlines can all cause burnout.
Jack Campbell
Jack is the editor at HR Leader.
