NASUWT Representatives

www.nasuwt.org.uk103Work/Life BalanceAll teachers and headteachers are entitled to enjoy asatisfactory balance between the demands of theirprofessional duties and their personal interests outsidework.This right is enshrined in law for teachers employed underthe provisions of the STPCD.l All employers have a general duty under the Health andSafety at Work etc. Act 1974 to ensure the health, safety andwelfare of employees, and the Working Time Regulations1998 set limits on working time.l Work/life balance is specifically provided for in theconditions of service for all teachers and headteachers inmaintained schools as set out in the STPCD.l Following the National Agreement on reducing workload, theSTPCD requires that:2 additional hours over and above the annual 1,265 mustbe reasonable;2 for those teachers not covered by the 1,265 limit ondirected time, overall hours must be reasonable;2 headteachers must have regard to the desirability of allteachers being able to achieve a satisfactory work/lifebalance;2 governing bodies are obliged to ensure thatheadteachers can achieve a reasonable work/lifebalance.As a direct result of the NASUWT’s campaigning, theseprovisions are not simply recommendations, they arecontractual entitlements. In England, the SEF now containsstatements on compliance with contractual entitlements,including work/life balance. NASUWT Representatives shouldmonitor the SEF to ensure that the statements are accurate. Ifthe NASUWT Representative is concerned with the content,they should contact the Local Association Secretary for advice.NASUWT Representatives should work with Health and SafetyRepresentatives to ensure that, as recommended in the STPCD,they are consulted in order to develop agreed strategies forachieving a reasonable work/life balance.The STPCD states that in implementing contractual changes,there must be no detriment to existing working practices.For advice and help ˚ Local Association ˚ Regional/National Centre ˚ National Executive