Residential Assistant Leave and Time Off Campus
We are looking to clarify/determine an agreement surrounding leave and time spent off campus for RAs. We understand that we are employees, however, the nature of our job is that we never ‘clock-off’. No matter if we are on or off campus we are always seen as RAs. Furthermore, even if we aren’t rostered on duty, and are on campus we are still seen by the students to be working, thus dealing with any issues that arise. This we know, and it is the ‘lifestyle’ we signed up for. However, we also want to be able to have time with our friends, be able to relax, ultimately to avoid burnout. Consequently, we want clarity around what time we are able to have off campus and how that affects our holiday pay. In our opinion it seems there are two key …show more content…
For example, in ‘O’ week we are expected to be available and ready to work as required much more than during the holidays. Obviously this does depend on the number of students who choose to remain in the halls during the holidays or the number of conference guests. Consequently, if there is no work available for us (or only enough work for 5 RAs for example), we believe we should be permitted to be off campus, to travel home to visit family for example without that affecting holiday pay entitlements. Therefore, it may be prudent for the roster to run into the holiday periods, in discussion with the RAs about who is available and is happy to be on duty. Some form of equal division of this time may be required, however in the first instance the RAs can negotiate what suits them best. Although, those who have had many weeks off campus over this period may have a lower priority to those who have had no weeks. Additionally, the duties over this period may need to be adjusted from the traditional 5.30pm onward, as this may not be suitable for the
We are looking to clarify/determine an agreement surrounding leave and time spent off campus for RAs. We understand that we are employees, however, the nature of our job is that we never ‘clock-off’. No matter if we are on or off campus we are always seen as RAs. Furthermore, even if we aren’t rostered on duty, and are on campus we are still seen by the students to be working, thus dealing with any issues that arise. This we know, and it is the ‘lifestyle’ we signed up for. However, we also want to be able to have time with our friends, be able to relax, ultimately to avoid burnout. Consequently, we want clarity around what time we are able to have off campus and how that affects our holiday pay. In our opinion it seems there are two key …show more content…
For example, in ‘O’ week we are expected to be available and ready to work as required much more than during the holidays. Obviously this does depend on the number of students who choose to remain in the halls during the holidays or the number of conference guests. Consequently, if there is no work available for us (or only enough work for 5 RAs for example), we believe we should be permitted to be off campus, to travel home to visit family for example without that affecting holiday pay entitlements. Therefore, it may be prudent for the roster to run into the holiday periods, in discussion with the RAs about who is available and is happy to be on duty. Some form of equal division of this time may be required, however in the first instance the RAs can negotiate what suits them best. Although, those who have had many weeks off campus over this period may have a lower priority to those who have had no weeks. Additionally, the duties over this period may need to be adjusted from the traditional 5.30pm onward, as this may not be suitable for the