PvdA wants to lay down the right to inaccessibility in law
Work stress is one of the biggest pathogens, especially in education. A legal 'right to inaccessibility' should change this. Opinions are divided, according to a quick poll AObmembers. On February 17th, the AOb an online meeting with PvdA law submitter Gijs van Dijk.
Picture: Type tank
'I think this is a non-issue. If you are not mature enough yourself to make agreements about this, it is better to look for other work. ' 'If you are not informed the next morning, the response will be annoying. That way you are forced to look. ' The reactions of teachers in the AObpoll on the bill 'the right to inaccessibility' vary. Most of the 600 respondents agree that the pressure to respond to emails, phone calls or text messages from work contributes to work stress.
Border fades
By giving employees the legal right to be unreachable in their free time, the Labor Party hopes to counteract the pressure and its consequences. The bill by Member of Parliament Gijs van Dijk means that employers make agreements with employees about their accessibility outside working hours and record these.
“Digitization is blurring the boundary between private and work, especially now that we often work from home due to corona,” says Van Dijk. “But if you don't get enough rest, you will burn out. The absenteeism figures say enough in that regard. A law forces you to make clear agreements about your accessibility outside working hours. ”
Taboo
According to him, this is still quite a taboo, because work stress is still often seen as a personal problem. “Some people love to answer emails in the evening, and that's fine, but others can get stuck in that. It is good to discuss this and to make agreements, so that you know what to expect from each other. ”
Work stress is often seen as a personal problem
The vast majority of participants in the AObpoll check their e-mail or app every day outside working hours and more than half respond to this. The expectation of others is mentioned as the main reason for looking and reacting. It is striking that three-quarters indicate that this expectation has not been expressed as such. Clear agreements on this theme would therefore help according to most of the respondents. In three quarters, however, accessibility outside working hours is not a topic of discussion at school.
Reviews
It is a joint responsibility, says Kim van Strien, teacher of French and AOb- principal administrator for secondary education. “As a staff member you have to indicate your own boundary and not read the e-mails or texts if you do not want to, but on the other hand you also have to make clear agreements about this with each other at school. A law can ensure that that happens. "
On February 17th, the AOb a meeting in which participants discuss the bill with Gijs van Dijk. Van Strien: “The aim is to share experiences and opinions and to see what solutions there are. Moreover, by involving members in this topic, we hope to get something rolling and make work stress a topic of discussion. ”
Would you like to participate in this topic? Write your here in for the online meeting on February 17, from 19.30:21.00 PM to XNUMX:XNUMX PM.
