Workload & Wellbeing Awareness Month

November is Workload and Wellbeing Awareness Month (WWAM), part of the QTU's Staying Well strategy. It is a chance for members to take a look around them at how their school operates and identify ways of making it a better place to work.

Most teachers and school leaders can divide their work into two types: their core responsibilities and those things that they are just “expected” to do. WWAM is an opportunity to look at what you do beyond your key responsibilities and ask why you do it.  Does it add value to your experience as a professional educator? If you stopped doing it, would there be little or no impact on students or your effectiveness as a teacher or school leader. Would it reduce your workload? 

So, this November, why not carry out a workload and wellbeing “health check” at your school? This could include:

• dedicating a staff meeting to a discussion about workload and wellbeing (sample agendas, examples of what other schools are doing and a WWAM Actions poster are available in the “WWAM resources” section on the right of this page)
• holding a staff social event with a WWAM theme, to give people a chance to talk about workload and wellbeing
• sharing some of the content the QTU will be providing throughout the month (a host of information, articles and videos covering workload and wellbeing, occupational violence, climate control, practical subjects, online safety, domestic and family violence, supportive workplaces, and health and welfare issues are available in the “Staying Well topics” section)
• utilising a regular school catch-up or event to talk about workload and wellbeing.
• school leaders considering the systemic or regional impositions that add workload with little benefit – the QTU will formally be seeking your feedback.

We hope that you will find a way to celebrate WWAM at your school in November, and we look forward to hearing your positive stories over the coming weeks!