There’s an outrageathon at the University of Canberra, over the Faculty of Education wanting staff to be on campus four days a week.

In August education dean Geoff Riordan emailed staff to thank those who “have responded positively to the expectation about attending four days a week,” but added, “some issues have arisen with staff who have not done this, with others who have but only for a short time each day, and more generally about people’s availability … “

“I would like to reiterate the attendance expectation and ask that you let me know if you are working off campus and your contact details and to seek approval if you have a case for being off campus for more than one day per week. This information will be recorded in the faculty office,” Professor Riordan added.

This, the National Tertiary Education Union says, “on the face of it conflicts with the principle of academic self-management” and the matter may end up in the Fair Work Commission. “If this direction is allowed to stand it could be implemented in other faculties and could allow managers to extend this direction to five days per week,” the union warns.

However, Uni Canberra management says the four day a week rule only applies to teaching periods, “at other times staff are on leave, working on their research, attending conferences and engaging in other academic activities both on and off campus. This expectation has been communicated to staff for several years.”  Perhaps the union missed the memo and, as management tells CMM, it is all a misunderstanding.

Back in July La Trobe U raised an on-campus five days a week rule for academic staff rule (CMM July 6). It went within days.