Workload Vigilance

“If we do not use the workload protections we currently have in place, we risk losing them”

Burn out, overwork, stress leave…these are all too common in the teaching profession, and placing reasonable limits on the amount of work that can be assigned to faculty members is the only way to minimize their occurrence. Article 11 (Workload) in our collective agreement is there for exactly that reason: placing reasonable limits on the work that is assigned to us.

Your SWF and You

The SWF that you receive from your manager prior to each semester is a direct result of Article 11. It accounts for the number of courses or sections you are teaching, as well as the amount of time you will need for preparation and evaluation. However, the protections afforded by Article 11 are only as strong as you make them. Ultimately, it is up you to ensure that the time allocated on your SWF accurately and fairly represents the amount of time you are actually putting in on a weekly basis.

Doing More

As teachers, it is in our nature to want to help. Often, when we are asked to “do a little extra” – take on some task or responsibility that is not reflected on our SWF – our tendency is to say “OK”. While it may seem like doing extra is a good thing for the students or the college, ultimately it leads to undermining the effectiveness of Article 11, and eventually increases incidents of burn out among our members.

Use it or lose it

Make no mistake, Article 11 is being targeted. In the last round of negotiations we had the modified workload agreement clause imposed on us, and no doubt attempts will be made in the upcoming bargaining sessions to further erode the strength of workload protections. As faculty it is up to us to ensure that the work we do is properly reflected on our SWF. If we do not use the workload protections we currently have in place, we risk losing them. Pay attention to what is on your SWF, and remember that if you have a disagreement with your supervisor about your assigned workload, the Workload Monitoring Group (WMG) is there for you. You can refer any disputed SWF to the WMG simply by completing the form that comes with the official copy of your SWF.

 

 

 

 

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Workload Vigilance

“If we do not use the workload protections we currently have in place, we risk losing them”

Burn out, overwork, stress leave…these are all too common in the teaching profession, and placing reasonable limits on the amount of work that can be assigned to faculty members is the only way to minimize their occurrence. Article 11 (Workload) in our collective agreement is there for exactly that reason: placing reasonable limits on the work that is assigned to us.

Your SWF and You

The SWF that you receive from your manager prior to each semester is a direct result of Article 11. It accounts for the number of courses or sections you are teaching, as well as the amount of time you will need for preparation and evaluation. However, the protections afforded by Article 11 are only as strong as you make them. Ultimately, it is up you to ensure that the time allocated on your SWF accurately and fairly represents the amount of time you are actually putting in on a weekly basis.

Doing More

As teachers, it is in our nature to want to help. Often, when we are asked to “do a little extra” – take on some task or responsibility that is not reflected on our SWF – our tendency is to say “OK”. While it may seem like doing extra is a good thing for the students or the college, ultimately it leads to undermining the effectiveness of Article 11, and eventually increases incidents of burn out among our members.

Use it or lose it

Make no mistake, Article 11 is being targeted. In the last round of negotiations we had the modified workload agreement clause imposed on us, and no doubt attempts will be made in the upcoming bargaining sessions to further erode the strength of workload protections. As faculty it is up to us to ensure that the work we do is properly reflected on our SWF. If we do not use the workload protections we currently have in place, we risk losing them. Pay attention to what is on your SWF, and remember that if you have a disagreement with your supervisor about your assigned workload, the Workload Monitoring Group (WMG) is there for you. You can refer any disputed SWF to the WMG simply by completing the form that comes with the official copy of your SWF.

 

 

 

 

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