ABC radio breakfast host Sammy J interviewed Parents Victoria CEO Gail McHardy this morning about reports that a Melbourne high school has asked parents not to email teachers outside school hours. Sammy commented that this is “off the back of the right-to-disconnect laws” recently passed by the Federal Government.
Gail emphasised the importance of mutual respect and clear protocols about communications. For example, as Gail pointed out, if there is a clear understanding that teachers are not expected to reply to emails outside school hours, then out-of-hours emails do not create extra pressure on teachers. Gail and Sammy discussed various options for parents and teachers to communicate effectively in a way that works for both.
