NASUWT comments on NFER report into flexible working in teachers

Commenting on the report published today by the NFER into how better part time and flexible working opportunities could support teacher retention, Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union, said:   

"Improving flexible working opportunities in teaching is certainly important in supporting teachers at all stages of their careers to remain the profession. NASUWT research and casework shows that too many teachers are being denied their rights to flexible working. Spurious arguments, feeble excuses and blatant discrimination are being used to turn down requests.

“Even when teachers are granted flexibility, there are countless cases where unfairness and exploitation flourishes, with many teachers still expected to undertake work related activities on days they are not supposed to be working, invariably without payment.

"However, addressing this discrimination is only one part of the solution to the teacher recruitment and retention crisis. Effective action to support flexible working must also go hand in hand with measures to drive down the excessive workload which is affecting all teachers and which is at the heart of why rising numbers are leaving the profession."