Saint Ignatius’ College Riverview’s response to the Right to Disconnect Legislation
Effective 26 August 2024
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. What is the Right to Disconnect?
The new rules introduced by the Fair Work Amendment Bill 2024 are designed to help create a better balance between work and personal life. The Right to Disconnect legislation, coming into effect in Australia on August 26, 2024, aims to establish clear boundaries between work and personal life by ensuring employees across all industries are not obligated to respond to work communications outside of regular working hours. For schools, this means that educators and administrative staff will have the right to disconnect from work-related emails, messages, and calls once their official workday is over. This legislation is designed to support the wellbeing of school staff by helping them maintain a healthier work-life balance, reducing burnout, and improving overall job satisfaction.
2. What is the College’s usual response time to email queries and phone voicemails?
We strive to respond to non-urgent email queries and phone voicemails promptly. Our goal is to address all inquiries efficiently while maintaining high service standards. Typically, responses will be provided within 72 hours in the context of commitments that respective staff have, such as off-site excursions, staff absence, or other contingent responsibilities.
3. What are the College’s standard operating hours?
At Saint Ignatius’ College Riverview, timetabled classes begin shortly after 8:30 a.m. and conclude at 3:30 p.m. This is what we consider to be the College’s standard operating hours. Many staff, teaching and non-teaching, undertake co-curricular activities well before and well after these times, with some extending until late in the evening. The hours vary for each staff member based on how they support our community’s academic, pastoral, and administrative needs.
4. Can families contact Boarding, the Health Care Centre, and Gartlan beyond the formal conclusion of the school day?
Yes. During term time, each respective Boarding residence can be contacted until 10:00 p.m., the Health Care Centre is staffed overnight, and the Gartlan has variable hours depending upon programmed activities.
5. Will students be able to contact their teachers after standard operating hours?
Students can forward emails to teachers after standard operating hours, but teachers are not obligated to monitor their emails or respond if they are outside of the school day or once their official workday is over.
6. Is the College contactable during non-term and on weekends?
During non-term periods and weekends, College staff may be away from Sydney or on scheduled breaks and may not monitor communications as they do during regular term time. In line with the Right to Disconnect legislation, we appreciate your understanding and patience with non-urgent queries, which will be addressed as quickly as possible upon staff return. We are committed to communicating clearly about availability and promptly addressing urgent matters.
7. If a staff member hasn’t responded to an enquiry in a reasonable timeframe, who can I contact?
If you have not received a response to your inquiry within a reasonable timeframe, we encourage you to follow up directly with the relevant staff member or department. Please contact our main office if you require further assistance, and we will ensure the appropriate personnel addresses your query.
8. What is the College’s Community Code of Conduct?
Saint Ignatius’ College Riverview upholds a Community Code of Conduct that reflects our commitment to fostering a respectful and supportive environment. This code affirms that the College ‘has a responsibility to each individual and that all dealings be just and fair’, which is implicit in Employment Law and the Right to Disconnect legislation. We encourage all community members to familiarise themselves with these guidelines on the College website HERE.
9. What if there is an urgent matter that I need to inform the College about?
The College switchboard operates for 50 weeks of the year, and voicemail facilities are available to report urgent matters on 9882 8250. For emergencies that require immediate attention, please contact the following number at any time.
10. Does the Right to Disconnect legislation represent a cultural shift in the school?
The Right to Disconnect legislation does not alter our commitment to our mission, values, or duty of care within the school community. Our dedication to fostering a supportive and engaging educational environment remains steadfast. However, this new legislation does necessitate a shift in how we support our staff while ensuring compliance with the law by respecting their right to disconnect from work communications outside of school hours. This adjustment is a practical measure to uphold the wellbeing of our educators and support staff, allowing them to balance their professional and personal lives more effectively while continuing to uphold our core values and responsibilities.
