Customization increases happiness at work for older teachers
Right to extra bereavement and care leave, conversations with a 55-plus coach and a tailor-made approach. School board Xpect hopes that this type of measure will primarily increase happiness at work for older employees.
Picture: Nanne Meulendijks
“My dream image is that every employee, regardless of age, is always in control of his own happiness at work,” says HR advisor Lieke Heuvel of Xpect Primair, a school board of 25 primary schools in Tilburg.
At 4,8 percent, absenteeism is well below the national average of 6,9 percent. “But we also see that as we age, absenteeism increases. This often concerns burnout-like complaints, which we believe can be prevented if you arrive on time. We therefore mainly focus on prevention. ”
Vitality
'You make the difference' is the slogan of the HR policy, in which joint responsibility and customization are keywords. “Vitality is an entwined interest,” Heuvel explains. “We discuss with employees what they need and what they are going to do to stay healthy and enjoy working. We offer customization where possible. By increasing ownership of their wellbeing from the start, we hope to prevent employees from getting stuck later in their careers. ”
Additional terms of employment also help with this, according to her. Instead of a few days of mourning leave, the foundation has extended the collective labor agreement to a few weeks, to be taken at a time that someone wants to do so. The same applies to care leave. In addition to the two weeks in the CLA, the employee may be eligible for an extra two weeks, plus an extension of thirteen weeks for 70 percent of the salary.
This is also tailor-made, Heuvel emphasizes. “One says please let me work, while another one shouldn't think about it. We want to offer employees a choice as an alternative to absenteeism. If a situation has such a significant impact that someone can no longer work, then absenteeism cannot be prevented. ”
A new step takes some getting used to, but it also gives energy
When her son was ill, Yvonne Weerts (57), primary school teacher at Wandelbos in Tilburg, made use of the leave scheme. “It was a tough time that lasted 2,5 years. It was nice that I got half a day off, and a day was double rostered, so that I could leave if necessary. Without those opportunities and the support of colleagues I probably would not have kept up the work. ”
She considers self-management and being able to make choices very important. She herself started in the business world, worked as a French teacher and then as a teacher at various primary schools of Xpect Primair. She recently made another switch. “The previous school switched to a new learning system. I had a great time there, but more regular education suits me better. Such a new step takes some getting used to, but it also gives energy. Now, after a year, I can say that it really did me good. ”
Picture: Nanne Meulendijks
As of this year, she will use the special budget for older employees from the scheme Sustainable employability*This scheme applies to everyone and is intended to keep working in education healthy and with pleasure. There are three components: a budget of 40 hours for all employees, an extra budget of 40 hours for starters and an extra budget of 130 hours for employees aged 57 and over. The number of hours you are entitled to depends on your size of employment. When you record those hours and what you are going to do with them, you decide for yourself, on one condition: it must be something that helps you to continue to do your work well. Only older employees may also use the hours for leave. In that case, a personal contribution is asked for the extra budget. to work fewer hours. Weerts: “Now that I am getting older, I notice that I have less energy and can handle fewer stimuli. It is very nice how people think along with me so that I can continue to work with pleasure. For example, now I do the enrichment class one day a week, which has fewer children. ”
She did not know that in addition to an external coach, she could also call on the 55-plus coach within the foundation. "But I think it's a nice idea to discuss what other options there are for the last ten years until my retirement."
Pain point
That her task is not yet so well known, 55-plus coach and former director Candide Kassels has often noticed. She has worked with colleagues on the subject of sustainable employability for older employees. With recommendations such as a 55-plus coach and an offer for teachers as a result. The enthusiasm is still limited. Only a few teachers came for the offer 'Personal leadership for seniors'. “We are still looking for ways to expand this. By replacing the name senior by 55-plus coach, we hope that it will at least appeal to more people, ”she says.
The question of whether you are really happy in your work can be quite confronting
There is a need for a tailor-made approach, she knows. “The workload, and especially the administration, is the biggest pain point among the elderly. How nice is it if someone thinks along with you to prevent you from getting stuck completely. Small things can be enough. Not taking minutes anymore during meetings can already be relieving. And a teacher, for example, was completely relieved that someone could walk to gym class. By being open about it, we can look for solutions together. ”
Confronting
“The question of whether you are really happy at work can be quite confronting,” Kassels continues. “Because if the answer is 'no', then you will have to make choices. This may be so frightening to some that they don't take the step of talking to them. But the alternative is that you simmer in the same way for years until it really doesn't work anymore, and that is not beneficial for anyone. ”
Picture: Nanne Meulendijks
“It is only a matter of time that that changes,” thinks HR advisor Lieke Heuvel. “It is not easy to admit that things are not going well. Everyone has a heart for the cause and because of the teacher shortage, people will not just call in sick just like that. Sometimes there is also insufficient knowledge about what alarm signals are. We are working on an online program to increase knowledge and awareness about health. ”
Stop earlier
The solution can also lie in mobility or early retirement. XPert Primair offers a financial advisor who can work out all scenarios. Heuvel: “Early retirement costs money. But if you know exactly how much that amount is, you can make an informed choice. What is it worth to you to end your career with a good feeling and to start the next phase in good health? ”
Peter van Hulst (67) has even postponed the next phase for another year, at the request of the board. “I would like that, precisely because I still enjoy my work,” he explains. As chair of the joint participation council, training coordinator in the school within an umbrella education foundation in Tilburg and AObconsultant, he cannot complain about variety in the work.
Those who have given their best years deserve aftercare
“I taught class for thirty years, but now exchanging experience and knowledge in those different networks still gives me a lot of energy. I am proud of what the board has achieved in the field of autonomy, so that everyone has the opportunity to remain vital at work. Feeling connected to the organization is also very important in this. Even after someone retires, we stay in touch if he or she wants to. Those who have given their best years deserve aftercare. ”
This article appeared in the January issue of the Onderwijsblad. AObmembers receive the Education Magazine eleven times a year. Know more about the benefits of the AOb-membership? Look here.
Also read: 'Older staff are more likely to sit at home for long periods'
