Work life balance

Longer working hours do not necessarily equal higher productivity. Taking this into account, the government in 2003 introduced the work life balancing act under the National Agreement to tackle teacher workloads and raise standards.

The Workforce Agreement Monitoring Group promotes the agreement and helps to finalise the changes in teachers' contracts.

Initiatives, such as The Power to Innovate, allow schools or LEAs to apply to the Secretary of State to lift regulatory requirements for a limited period of time. For example, teachers could be freed from teaching duties one afternoon a week, giving them more time to plan and do training.

Under the new agreement, teachers should have more time for planning, preparation and assessment by 2005.

Already, they are no longer required to undertake administrative and clerical tasks such as photocopying, record-keeping, filing and collating pupils' reports.

A model work life balance policy (word) is available for you to adapt.

Useful websites

Work-life balacing act
Information and links from Teacher Magazine

Cutting burdens
News update on the National Agreement from TeacherNet.

Work-life balance - a negotiator's guide
Order a copy of the guide from this Labour Research Department page.