Why e-LAPS is banned

Devolving leave approval to principals is unacceptable. JOHN IRVING explains.

On July 20 the Department of Education and Training (DET) sent a memorandum to all principals concerning management of leave for schools staff and the electronic Leave Application and Processing System (e-LAPS).

The memorandum was an attempt by the DET to implement the electronic leave approval system which devolves responsibility for teachers' leave to the school level. This represents a "new claim" by DET which has considerable workload implications. E-LAPS is also part of the Government's unilateral agenda to devolve greater responsibility and blame to school principals while undermining their security of tenure.

Responsibility and blame is being devolved to principals (or leave approver) who must now be fully aware and responsible for all leave entitlement provisions including those that apply to the granting of long service leave (under the Long Service Leave Act) and leave without pay. Principals (or leave approvers) will need to be fully aware and responsible for all aspects of flexible work options and leave including permanent part time work, part time leave without pay, part time adoption leave, part time maternity leave, part time paternity leave and sabbatical leave available through the Deferred Salary Scheme.

Principals (or leave approvers) need to be cognisant of the Anti-Discrimination Act. For example it is unlawful in NSW under this Act to discriminate against a person on the grounds of the person having responsibilities as a carer. Principals (or leave approver) will be responsible for their approving or not approving leave under e-LAPS. Teachers need to be aware that, although the Industrial Relations Commission may be willing to address disputes, no appeal process via the employer exists under the DET's e-LAPS proposals.

Family and Community Service Leave (and audit requirements), special leave, maternity leave, adoption leave and sick leave approval will become the responsibility of principals (or leave approver).

The devolution proposals, which include e-LAPS, released by the government/DET on June 30 were noted as "alleged initiatives" and recorded by the Industrial Relations Commission as rejected by the Teachers Federation. They were not part of the grounds for the recent salary increases for classroom teachers and promoted teachers.

Principals have been informed that they are responsible for the planning of leave and this planning is critical in ensuring effective school management and staff morale. Effective leave and relief plans recognise factors affecting the local availability of relief staff.

The shortage of casual and permanent staff will more than ever impact on the principal's decisions to approve or not approve leave.

Contrary to the statement by Human Resources General Manager Trish Kelly in her memorandum that a small DET trial had provided "very positive feedback", principals involved in this trial in September last year reported the following serious concerns:

• errors in the Departmental Director Service (DDS), for example shared positions
• inadequate guidelines to assist with the approval or otherwise of leave
• difficulties for staff in accessing computer facilities with appropriate privacy
• principals and other school staff having access to staff information previously able to be kept confidential
• additional clerical tasks for principals and other school staff
• difficulty in ensuring security in schools of medical certificates and other supporting leave statements
• difficulty in ensuring that staff submit leave forms
• no appeal process included.

Federation sought a written response from DET to these concerns on October 28, 2003. No written response has been received.

Federation reasserts its policy position that principals do not approve leave. The approval of leave rests with the employer and principals only make recommendations with respect to applications for leave.

E-LAPS is currently the subject of a Federation ban.

DET is attempting to implement e-LAPS without proper consultation, despite serious concerns around workload, confidentiality and resourcing.

Federation has directed all members to refuse to co-operate with attempts to implement the new scheme. All members are directed to continue to use the existing processes when applying for leave.

It is likely that at some stage in the future members will receive from DET a sealed, personalised letter with information on how to use e-LAPS. Members are asked to keep this envelope in a safe place but unopened as e-LAPS is banned.

Principals should not complete or return the "leave approvers" pro-forma.

The unilateral introduction of e-LAPS without proper consultation or resourcing represents an attempt to increase the workload of teachers and principals (or leave approver) without compensation. It is also part of the Government's attempt to devolve more responsibility to schools while undermining security of tenure.

John Irving is the Assistant General Secretary (Schools).

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Last Modified: 15 Nov 2005