Share the results of the workload tracker and any other surveys with colleagues to demonstrate the drivers of excessive workload and its impact. If you are the school/college rep or contact, consider calling a members meeting to discuss the issue and gauge the strength of feeling.
Identify volunteers to help collect and collate evidence and information from colleagues. Use the evidence to initiate a discussion with colleagues to develop solutions and concrete suggestions for changes in practice that will reduce workload.
Have informal and creative discussions in the workplace, maybe during coffee breaks or lunch periods, which are solution focused. Perhaps raise the issue at a suitable staff meeting or through other communication systems.
If you have a structure for staff consultation in your school/college, raise the issues at your joint negotiating committee or joint consultative committee, or other relevant staff committees (eg health and safety). If there is no consultation forum for staff reps and leaders in your school/college, consider asking for one and establishing a regular consultation meeting to open the lines of communication.
Take a collaborative approach, using negotiation and consultation forums to discuss the evidence and solutions with school/college leaders. Prioritise the most important aspects, and work together to reach an agreement on practical steps which can be taken to reduce excessive workload and create a healthier, well workplace.
Other sources of support and information
You might also want to:
- download ATL's workload resources and display the materials on your notice board and in your staffroom
- find out about other ATL resources, including factsheets and model policies.
- consider what professional development might be needed to help tackle this issue; circulate a learning needs survey, elect a union learning rep or consider becoming one yourself.
Consultation and collaboration is the key to success in tackling workload. Where available, find case studies of successful work-life balance in other workplaces. These may carry weight with your school/college leaders and can be helpful in identifying examples of good practice and potential solutions to the problem.
You could also make contact with other ATL reps and members in your area to share ideas. And keep an eye on www.atl.org.uk/abouttime for more resources, information and case studies, which ATL will be developing throughout the campaign.
Finally, ATL can support your school/college in developing your workload campaign. If you feel that you need support in your workplace to tackle workload then please contact the organising team with your full contact details.
Campaign Toolkit
- ATL's guide to Tackling Workload Together
- ATL's guide to the DfE workload group reports - for teachers
- ATL's guide to the DfE workload group reports - for leaders
- Eliminating unnecessary workload around marking
- Elminating unneccessary workload associated with data management
- Eliminating unnecessary workload around planning and teaching resources