There’s no faulting the frankness of the NTEU during enterprise bargaining, reporting a staff survey as “highlighting shocking levels of workplace stress and dysfunction”

The National Tertiary Education Union surveyed SCU staff and reports they have had it with management.

The focus on management failings is not unique in such a union survey – but there are two local specifics.

* the local “six by six” block teaching model, which rolled out in 2021 (CMM November 16 2021).  The union states this “drastic change” from semesters has expanded workloads beyond what can be completed in allotted hours. “A focus on on-line delivery and the new … teaching model has reduced staff capacity to provide a good student experience.”

* staff not reporting “psycho-social  hazards” for “fear of reprisals or job loss.”  Certainly some worry about speaking-up. Last year academics wanted to complain to chancellor, Nick Burton Taylor, but only if he did not reveal signatories (CMM April 6 2021).

To which SCU replies

“key indicators of staff turnover, unscheduled staff absence, use of the Employee Assistance Program and psychological injury claims are all consistent with prior years and at or below sector average.”

“SCU has been meeting with all unions representing staff since August 2021 and encourages all bargaining parties to bring their concerns to the table in a comprehensive and timely manner.”