The Right to Disconnect: Striking the Balance Between Operational Requirements and Minimising Out-of-Hours Contact

With the recent introduction of ‘the right to disconnect’ provisions, schools are faced with an increasingly complex set of problems as they seek to balance their operational needs with legislative requirements. Unpack key provisions on how to manage reasonable expectations for out-of-hours work in the context of co-curricular activities, school camps and more. Ensure your policies are up to scratch in this new era of work-life balance.

Tuesday, 11 February 2025
Description

Teachers attending earn 1 Professional Development Hour (NSW, VIC) / CPD Point (QLD, WA, SA)
Lawyers attending earn 1 CPD unit in Substantive Law


This program is applicable to practitioners from all States & Territories

Chair:

Dr Steven Middleton, Associate Principal, St Margaret’s Berwick Grammar

1.00pm to 2.00pm The Right to Disconnect: Striking the Balance Between Operational Requirements and Minimising Out-Of-Hours Contact

 

  • Overview of the Fair Work Act 2009 and the new "right to disconnect”
  • Importance of balancing operational needs and teachers' work-life balance
  • Key provisions of the "right to disconnect"
  • Reasonable expectations for out-of-hours work
  • Co-curricular activities and flexibility: the need for teacher availability for camps, sports, and extracurriculars
  • Developing clear policies on notice, compensation, and staffing
  • Communication protocols: guidelines for parent and student communication outside school hours
  • Dispute resolution mechanisms  

Presented by Lucienne Gleeson, Partner – Employment Law, Baker McKenzie

Presenters


Dr Steven Middleton, Associate Principal, St Margaret’s Berwick Grammar
Dr Steven Middleton is currently the Associate Principal of St Margaret’s Berwick Grammar, a independent school in Melbourne’s outer south east. Over the past two decades Dr Middleton has worked in a variety of leadership roles in various independent School’s in both Sydney and Melbourne including The King’s School, Knox Grammar School and Carey Grammar. Dr Middleton has a passion for school culture, teacher and student growth and high performance in various contexts. His Doctoral Thesis from The University of Melbourne focused on leadership and character education for adolescents. Steve has written and presented extensively on issues of school culture, strategic leadership, student well-being and achievement in recent years. He is also beginning a Juris Doctor degree due to his interest in educational legal matters.


Lucienne Gleeson, Partner – Employment Law, Baker McKenzie
Lucienne advises on all aspects of employment law. She has appeared in the Federal Court, Federal Circuit Court, Supreme Court, Fair Work Commission and the Australian Human Rights Commission to represent clients in a variety of cases. This has included adverse action, discrimination, breach of contract, unfair dismissal and restraint of trade matters. Lucienne conducts investigations into allegations of employee misconduct and bullying in the workplace. She also presents on key workplace topics including performance management, anti-discrimination, bullying and harassment.




This seminar is part of a series

School Law Series: From the Right to Disconnect, Vexatious Parents, Poor Performers & More

Gain the legal information, updates & strategies you need with a series of the most important topics all tailor made for schools. Explore the breadth of the new ‘right to disconnect’ provisions and how best to balance the needs of your school with legislative requirements. Ensure you understand your duty of care obligations and have firm policies in place when it comes to student activity before and after school hours. Add to your inventory of effective strategies for managing challenging interactions with vexatious and bullying parents and much more. Make it easy & save by registering for the full series or just the sessions that interest you. Watch each session live online or as an on-demand recording.

Description

Teachers attending the entire series earn 5 Professional Development Hours (NSW, VIC) / CPD Points (QLD, WA, SA)
Lawyers attending the entire series earn 5 CPD units in Substantive Law

 

This program is applicable to practitioners from all States & Territories

 

If you register for the full series as a live online product after the date of an individual session, you will be sent the recording for the sessions that have passed. Alternatively, you can register for individual sessions by following the links below.

 

View series listing

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The Right to Disconnect: Striking the Balance Between Operational Requirements and Minimising Out-of-Hours Contact

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DELIVERY MODE BELOW

Single Session
Tuesday, 11 February 2025
1.00pm to 2.00pm Australia/Sydney
CPD Points 1
$160.00
$112.00
Online 20241203 20250211

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On Demand 20241203 20250211

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