Federation has a long history of activism in the work health and safety space, to the point where today we have an increasing number of schools with elected Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) and active Work Health and Safety committees.
It is important that injuries at work are reported to the incident hotline. It is equally important that near misses are reported and logged. Issues may not always be school specific. When an incident/risk is identified, talk to the staff around you, speak to the Fed Rep/HSR and Work Health and Safety Committee to have the issue addressed.
Use the Work Health and Safety procedures and report and have risk assessments conducted. We can address these issues to make improvements school by school.
At your local association meeting, Fed Reps can report on work health and safety issues. Associations may move a motion that goes to Federation Council and if voted up by delegates, a decision is made, and meaningful state action can result that benefits not just one school but all schools.
On an individual level, when it comes to the health and wellbeing of yourself and others, you have resources at your fingertips.
Go to the members’ section of Federation’s website. If you can’t find what you need, call Professional Support. If you find what you’re looking for but still have questions, call Professional Support.
We care for ourselves and others by looking out for each other. Ensure that you and your colleagues work collaboratively and use the Dignity and Respect in the Workplace Charter as your guide. It is a signed agreement between Federation and the Department.
If you injure yourself and make a workers compensation claim, contact Professional Support, as workers compensation can be challenging.
If you have a non-work health/injury issue, the Department has procedures and personnel to support you.
Speak with your principal and have them contact Health and Wellbeing. You may require reasonable accommodations to support your recovery at work.
Discuss your needs, provide supporting medical/specialist evidence. Ask for help.
If you see a colleague in need, ask them if they are OK and whether there’s anything you can do to help.
We can all have our off days in the classroom and collegial sharing of experience/resources/strategies can make the difference to a colleague having a bad day.
Most importantly, take some time out for yourself.