4.17.1 Types of flexibility

Under the flexible work arrangements, teachers will have the opportunity to:

1. Job share
2. Work part time
3. Take leave without pay for up to 12 months, both part time and full time, in addition to the current leave without pay for personal reasons provisions. without pay (up to 12 months).

4.17.2 Eligibility

Flexible work arrangements will apply equally to teachers who require flexibility to balance their family, work and care responsibilities because they are:

1. pregnant;
2. the parent, or have the responsibility for the care, of a child who is of school age or younger;
3. a carer (within the meaning of the Carer Recognition Act 2010); d) have a disability;
4. are 55 years of age or older;
5. are experiencing family and domestic violence;
6. are caring for or supporting an immediate family or household member who requires care or support because they are experiencing domestic and family violence.

Balancing work and care includes “self-care” in the context of those teachers with a disability or teachers aged over 55 who are transitioning to retirement.

The availability of Flexible Work under this provision is in addition to the right to request provisions available to teachers at clause 4.2.9.3.

4.17.3 Application for flexible work arrangements

• There is no minimum service requirement to access flexible employment arrangements.
• The department will apply a principle of favouring approval of all requests for flexible work arrangements.
• Any declinature of flexible work arrangements by principals and DELs must be reasonable and must outline the reasons in writing.
• Flexible work arrangements should align to the school year and be reviewed at the conclusion of the school year. This retains flexibility for both the school and the teacher allowing for changes in circumstances and needs.
• Flexible work arrangements are cost neutral to the Department and the school will not include cross-over days.
• No teacher will be disadvantaged as a result of an application or implementation of a flexible work arrangement.

4.17.4 Job share and part time employment

Access to job share and/or part time employment will be available to teachers via a reduction to their FTE while accessing leave without pay on the non-working days.

For example, a teacher wanting to work three (3) days under a flexible work arrangement will be reduced to a 0.6 FTE and will take two (2) days of leave without pay each week.

Flexible work arrangements are separate and distinct from permanent part time employment.

Leave without pay for the purpose of a flexible work arrangement is separate and distinct from other forms of leave without pay for personal reasons.

4.17.5 Private and secondary employment

Private and secondary employment will not be approved for teachers on flexible work arrangements, with the exception of ad hoc casual days worked in NSW public schools.

Resources

Direction and guidance on implementing flexible work arrangements for teachers is available in the Flexible work for teachers procedure.