Disconnect

 


So you’ve made it to the end of the school year or are about to.

You’re exhausted.

You’ve had enough.

You don’t want to see another child, ever again.  (for now, obviously)

What are you going to do?

Because no matter how many years you have been teaching, you’re always going to be exhausted at the end of the academic year.  And if it’s your first year of teaching then you’re going to be feeling like Roger Bannister.

The first thing you should do is Disconnect – the verb deserves a capital letter.   Completely disconnect from anything to do with your workplace.  Sure, if you get on well with colleagues who may have become friends then socialise with them because you need to spend time with friends.

However, try to avoid too much work talk.  This is partly because it’s really boring but also because you need to focus on what is really important in life – you and the people you love and who love you.  And your dogs and/or cats/or llamas obviously.

It is tempting to “pop into school” to tidy stuff up, organise files and books and displays and other bits and pieces. 

Don’t.  Just don’t.  You’re not paid enough for it.  You’re not paid anywhere near enough for it. 

In terms of pay, UK teachers have an average salary that is far below that of the median compared to Europe and even worse when considering your salary’s  Purchasing Power (buying a home for example) is factored in.  True, France is slightly worse in terms of PP (not salary)  but they have much better pension system for teachers than in the UK – way, way better. 

If your employer doesn’t give you paid time to do those chores then don’t do them.  That’s on them.  If they can’t be bothered to organise a day  at the end of the year where you are actually salaried to do the tidying up then that is their fault, not yours.

It is also tempting to check your work emails for Really Important Stuff That Needs Your Attention. 

Don’t.  Just don’t.  If it’s urgent or actually important then you’ll get a phone call.

In Europe there are various laws based around The Right To Disconnect.  Basically, your employer isn’t allowed to email you outside of official work hours and if they  do then they have no right to expect a reply.  It differs slightly from European country to country  but they’re all pretty much in agreement with the principle.  In most cases they can be prosecuted for trying it on.

Guess what…The UK has no such law.

However, there is also no obligation on your part to open up your laptop during your downtime to be confronted with issues that can wait.   The CEO of your Trust who is earning 6 times (on average) what you are might demand something done during the holidays so he/she delegates it to your Head who is earning 3 times more (on average) who then delegates it to you and who wants it sorted ASAP.  Yes, so what? 

IT'S YOUR HOLIDAY.  Make it your holiday.  If your well paid bosses want it done then they can do it themselves because that is why they get paid the big bucks. 

But you want to make a good impression, right?  You want to be seen as helpful and willing to go that Extra Mile.  You’re maybe thinking of a promotion.  You want a good Performance Review next year, right?  That’s understandable.  Your Performance Review can make a huge difference in your salary and getting it signed off is the responsibility of the person who has just  emailed you on the 3rd day of your holiday when you are just realising that there is actually a world outside of your school.

This is why you need to make sure you join a union.  Your union will back you up if your refusal to be a slave to the system affects your performance review – there is, by law, an Appeals process so use it if you are discriminated against because you’re being accused of not being a “team player”.  Don’t delete any requests for work during the holidays and don’t respond to them except for that Auto-Reply which says “I will respond to you at the start of the school year”.  When you return, explain why you didn’t respond (because it was your holiday).  Keep it simple and disconnect.

In Secondary schools there is the annual ritual of exams results for GCSEs and A Levels when many teachers like to be at school to deliver the results themselves or be there when they are opened.  Many teachers find this to be an emotionally charged time that fulfils them.  They have connections with students, they want to see them happy and they want to be there if it hasn’t all gone to plan.

That’s understandable but it has to be your choice.  And you should not be arranging your holiday around Results Time.  If your employer is pressuring you to attend on those days then that  is fundamentally wrong and they know it.  Some schools have been known to go straight into a Debrief about the results and schedule meetings about them during that week.  

Don’t join them.  Don’t even entertain the idea of doing so.

Your holiday is sacred.  It is the time that you need to mentally recharge and let your body physically recharge.  It doesn’t matter how you choose to spend your holiday – and it most certainly isn’t any business of your employer how you do so – but is has to have nothing to do with your job.

Disconnecting isn’t selfish — it’s self-preservation. And it benefits everyone when you're able to return with energy, perspective, and sanity intact.  The importance of this has been recognised by many European governments and brought into law.  Just because this is not the case in the UK does not mean that it is any less vital for you and your students. 

And remember that you are a person who is more than just a teacher.  You need the summer holidays to remind you of that and to reconnect with the person you were before you entered your chosen career.   Your job, although important, should not define who you are.  Take a break.  Disconnect.

 

 

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