Waitaha Canterbury District Council
 
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YOUR RIGHTS AS A

WORKER IN EDUCATION

RESPECT

You should always be treated with respect. This includes respect for your culture, values and beliefs.
While you have an obligation to do your job, your employer has an obligation to respect your culture, values, beliefs, preserve your privacy and recognise your strengths.

 

FAIR TREATMENT

Your employment agreement and Workplace policies must protect you from all forms of discrimination.
You should be free from discrimination on the grounds of age, gender, race, beliefs, marital or family status, sexual orientation or disability. As a worker you need to be careful to afford the same respect to others in the workplace.

 

DIGNITY AND GOOD FAITH

Your working relationships must be conducted with dignity and good faith.
The Employment Relations Act 2000 states that employment relations must be built on good faith behaviour. This legal requirement must be observed by both you and your employer. Good faith means not taking any action that would deceive or mislead the other party.

 

HEALTH AND SAFETY

You are entitled by law to a safe and healthy workplace.
The Health and Safety in Employment Act outlines the responsibility of both employers and employees in the provision of a Healthy and Safe workplace. Healthy and safe means free from physical and emotional harm.
The employer must take all practical steps to ensure the safety of all employees.
The employee must take all practical steps to ensure their own safety and that of all other employees they work with.
All hazards must be eliminated, isolated or minimised with protection provided for employees.

 

COMMUNICATION

You have the right to have your say and be listened to about issues that affect you in the workplace.
Most difficulties in the workplace occur as a consequence of poor communication and change. You have the right to:
the right to know about things that affect your job.
the right to time to consider changes that affect your job.
the right of response.
the right to demonstrated consideration of the views you put forward.
Consultation and communication in the workplace doesn't rely on agreement between you and your employer, but you do have the right to participate in the process.

 

INFORMATION

You are entitled to the information you need to do your job.
There will be times when workplace informationneeds to be kept confidential and/or treated with discretion. Despite this, your employer cannot withhold information that you require to do your job. Both you and your employer are bound by the Privacy Act when dealing with any personal information bout the public or employees.

 

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

You have the right to a workplace that provides you with the necessary skills to do your job.
Professional Development is an integral part of the success of any workplace. You have the right to fulfil your potential to increase your skills, knowledge and expertise in the job you do. Training must be offered to you for all safety issues; where the job changes; or where new technology is introduced.

 

SUPPORT

You have the right to support and representation when you choose.
Every employee goes through times where there are difficulties at work. Whether it is trouble with your employer, a work colleague or a member of the public your rights are exactly the same.
You have the right to
copies of all information about the issue.
the right of response.
the right to support in any meeting.
If you are requested to attend a meeting about a problem you should always take a support person.

 

WORKPLACE DEMOCRACY

You and your workmates have the right to work together to protect and improve your conditions of employment.
The law now encourages collectivity and participation by you in the workplace. For most of the time employers and employees pursue a common goal - to provide the best service possible. This is best achieved wnere you are free to discuss your views openly with the support of your colleagues. In working together you will also have the strength to preserve and advance your pay and conditions of employment.

 

JOIN THE UNION

You have the right to join a Union.
NZEI Te Riu Roa has been established for over 100 years. It is recognised by Government as the professional and industrial voice of Early Childhood and Primary teachers Support Staff in schools, Advisers in SES and for schools. Joining the union gives you the automatic right to be covered by the Collective Agreement (relevant to your job designation) negotiated by NZEI Te Riu Roa.

 


NZEI Te RIU ROA Strengthening workplaces Members Supporting Member
 
 
Last updated February 2004