Q&A with Member Assist

Members’ matters Q A with Member Assist and The team in Member Assist answers some of members’ most commonly asked questions

QI work at a primary school full time. I have a preprimary class 0.6 of the time and a Year 1 class that is 0.4. I currently get 240 minutes duties other than teaching (DOTT) time per week, is this correct?

ANo this is not correct. The Award states that a pre-primary teacher receives 320 minutes per week DOTT time while a primary teacher receives 240 minutes per week DOTT time. As you teach in both areas your DOTT time should be 0.6 of 320 minutes and 0.4 of 240 minutes. This equates to 288 minutes of DOTT time per week. This time will increase to 300 minutes per week in 2021 due to an increase in primary DOTT time to 270 minutes per week.

QI have returned from parental leave after two years and finding this difficult. Can I go back on parental leave for a third year?

AThe simple answer is no, you cannot go back on parental leave after returning from your initial parental leave period. You can request to go on leave without pay (LWOP) for up to one year. LWOP is at the discretion of the employer and staff on LWOP cannot undertake relief teaching unless express permission is approved by the employer.

QMy school administration calls various meetings at lunch time. Can they do this as I thought I was entitled to a break?

AAll teaching staff are entitled to a reasonable break during the school day under the occupational safety and health safe systems of work. Therefore, having a meeting during a lunch break does not constitute a break from work and can lead to medical issues for staff. Staff do have a duty of care responsibility to students to undertake a duty roster at recess and lunch. Disputes about breaks can be dealt with as an occupational safety and health issue.

KYR Know Your Rights

Have a question? A full compilation of Know Your Rights information sheets are available on the SSTUWA website and app. Schools: sstuwa.org.au/schoolsKYR | TAFE: visit sstuwa.org.au/TAFEkyr You can also speak with your union rep and contact Member Assist: (08) 9210 6060 | 1800 106 683 | memberassist@sstuwa.org.au

QCan you tell me what the union’s Journey Cover insurance covers if I have an accident on the way to work or home from work?

AJourney Cover (introduced by the SSTUWA) replaced government workers’ compensation when travel to and from work was excluded. If you have an accident whilst travelling to or from work, which results in your inability to work, you may be entitled to a benefit for lost income. The intention of the policy is to provide weekly salary compensation; any medical-related costs will fall within the cover provided by Medicare or a health insurance policy. Any vehicle-related costs will fall within the cover provided by a car insurance policy.

What to do in the event of a claim

Contact Member Assist: 9210 6060 | 1800 106 683 memberassist@sstuwa.org.au

See your doctor as soon as possible to obtain a medical certificate.

If a vehicle is involved and you are injured, immediately lodge a claim with the Insurance Council of Western Australia (compulsory third party insurer).