Columbia Valley Pioneer staff
A proposed new communication protocol in Rocky Mountain School District No. 6 is concerning some teachers who value employee wellness and a “disconnect from work.”
The school district has received feedback on Policy 1200 that outlines a protocol governing communications among staff.
In a letter to the board, the Rocky Mountain Teachers’ Association expressed deep concern about work pervading their personal lives, adding there needs to be boundaries with a focus on a healthy workplace culture.
The association noted that many organizations have implemented a “disconnect from work” policy that has established these said boundaries. This means being able to stop doing paid work and not being obligated to respond to work requests outside of established hours.
The association added that the district’s communication protocol does not convey an overall commitment to the goal of employee wellness. Instead, it highlights when employees are required to answer phone calls and emails, which negates the wellness message to become requirements that touch on what employees must do outside of the classroom.
Teachers want to see the board develop a wellness policy that includes “disconnect from work” principles.
In other feedback received by the board, one individual said part of respectful communication is when this communication is signed by a human. When it is signed “HR department, it “feels quite cold, impersonal, and frankly disrespectful not to sign a name.”
Another individual said some emails are in the best interest of the parties involved to have the information prior to Monday morning. But “I am tired of receiving multiple emails on the weekend simply because that is when someone is able to find the time to catch up.”
The board continues to review these concerns.
