14 July 2023 | Open PDF
Term 3 Women's e-News for QTU Women’s contacts
This term there are three items of interest that you might like to report to Branches and Area Councils in your role as a QTU Women’s contact:
1. Superannuation – Quarterly hot topic
2. Preventing and responding to workplace sexual harassment directive
Quarterly hot topic: How much Super should I have?
The average super balances for Australians at different ages may be one way to compare how much super you should have and how confident you can be about readiness for retirement.
To retire modestly, the ASFA March quarter 2023 figures suggest that single people aged about 65 will need about $31,785 a year and couples will need about $45,808 per year.
To achieve a comfortable retirement, ASFA calculates the amount of savings required by retirement at age 67 are around $595,000 for a single person and $690,000 for a couple.
If you want to know more about how much Super you need and how to grow some more, check this out: How much super should I have? (qsuper.qld.gov.au)
Preventing and responding to workplace sexual harassment
The QTU, along with other public service unions, has been in consultation with the public service commission on a new public service directive, Preventing and responding to workplace sexual harassment.
Sexual harassment is unlawful. It is that simple. This fact does not change within the school gates.
The department has a duty to prevent and address sexual harassment as part of providing healthy and safe workplaces.
While the entire Qld public service awaits the release of the new directive, the QTU is providing an update to members on how they can report incidents of alleged workplace sexual harassment.
If you have experienced sexual harassment and you need immediate action, or you are feeling unsafe in the workplace, you can raise the matter with your manager. If you are unable to raise it with your manager, members are advised that they can use the Stage 3 employee grievance procedure under the modern Award. Grievances involving allegations of sexual harassment must be submitted in writing to the chief executive.
This submission can be made directly to the Department of Education’s Intake and Assessment Team via email intake@qed.qld.gov.au Further, under the modern Award, members are able to notify their union when submitting the grievance by copying in the QTU email qtu@qtu.asn.au
If you would like further advice or a copy of the updated advice brochure, please contact our Queensland Teachers’ Assist Desk.
Authorised by Kate Ruttiman, General Secretary, Queensland Teachers' Union
21 Graham Street, Milton, QLD, Australia, 4064