Today the GMB, NASUWT, UNISON and Unite trade
unions are encouraging schools and colleges to sign up to a new
scheme that recognises employers who treat their staff well.
The unions say that although many employers treat their staff
with dignity and engage with constructively unions, there are
still too many that do not.
The Valued Worker Scheme
highlights schools and colleges that treat their staff well and
encourages improvements at those that currently do not.
The scheme has six guiding principles to ensure staff are treated
with dignity at work:
- Provide a safe, secure and
enjoyable working environment
- Ensure the wellbeing and dignity at
work of all employees
- Provide relevant training and
development opportunities
- Negotiate pay and conditions that
guarantee the Foundation Living Wage and cover outsourced workers
- Work with staff and unions to agree
formal work policies
- Ensure work policies and practices
are evidence-based.
Employers signing up to the scheme will not have to comply with
all the principles initially, but they must have plans in place
setting out how they will meet them all.
Schools can sign up to the scheme irrespective of their current
Ofsted grading.
Dr Patrick Roach, NASUWT General Secretary said:
“The Valued Worker Scheme recognises that good employer practices
are essential to securing the best educational opportunities for
children and young people.
“Employers who treat their staff fairly, equitably and with
dignity will see the longer term benefits in terms of staff
recruitment, retention and morale, as well as improved
educational outcomes for pupils.
“We know from our work with employers across the country, there
are many employers who are committed to doing what they can to
provide decent working conditions for their staff. We applaud the
work of those employers and encourage others to do the same.”
UNISON head of education Mike Short said:
“School and college staff have the right to be treated well at
work. Good employers look after their workers because they know
it’s the right thing to do. They also understand that everyone
benefits from a decent working environment.”
Unite national officer said: "Unite are
delighted to support the Valued Worker Scheme which provides an
opportunity for Unite and other unions to ensure employers are
providing secure and safe places to work with decent jobs, pay
and conditions.
“The scheme also gives recognition to employers who are committed
to collective bargaining and strong trade union rights."
Rachel Harrison, GMB National
Secretary said:
“School support staff play a central role in the education of our
children. They must be treated fairly and equally to their
teacher colleagues.
“When employers don’t, these hidden professionals tell us of low
staff morale, as well as serious recruitment and retention issues
throughout our schools and academies.
“The Valued Worker Scheme is about encouraging more employers to
think about their day to day practices and make changes to ensure
they treat their staff with the dignity and respect they deserve.
They need to work with trade unions and commit to improving
working conditions for all school support staff and
teachers.”
