Watch this space for a link to the Workload Survey which will be open soon to all staff.
Why a Workload Campaign ?
Staff across post-16 education including CRC are experiencing excessive workloads, long working hours and intensification of work that is causing significant stress and ill-health. The increasing administrative burden, the widening of job roles, the introduction of new IT and online working, increased student numbers and staff cuts are a growing problem.
As part of our successful pay claim CRC SMT also agreed as part of the non-pay related elements of the claim to carry out a collaborative review of workload here at the college including but not limited to –
- A review of maximum teaching hours (per week and globally)
- A review of evening/weekend work requirements leading to a clearly defined process of negotiation and consultation with staff
- A review of class sizes and an agreed procedure for safe maximum class sizes
- Protected PPA time
- Agreement on the definition of a “teaching hour”
- A review of remission time for teaching staff with additional responsibilities and/or training obligations.
These issues will be consulted and negotiated on with the College and UCU via the college Workload Management Group which has started regular meetings from December 2025
Parallel to these talks the branch will also be carrying out a Workload Campaign based on the UCU “It’s Your Time” national workload template. You can read more about this here – UCU – Workload campaign
Workload is a Health & Safety Issue and should be regarded as such. Over the coming months will be using a H&S legislative approach based on HSE (H&S Executive) Standards to investigate workload at the college to better inform your Branch negotiators to argue for improvements on your behalf.
What Can you Do?
All Staff –
Complete the Workload Survey once it goes live. This survey is open to all staff both members and non-members – please complete is asap. The more responses we receive – the more info we have from you on the issues affecting you.
Raising Workload Concerns at CRC – Did you know that UCU have negotiated a formal procedure for raising individual workload concerns?
This procedure has definitive stages to escalate the process if your line manager cannot resolve the issues in the initial stage. You can find the process on the college intranet – Reference NO HR3 – Procedure for Raising Workload Concern.
https://url.uk.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/g-_BCnZrDfGpWRmI9fjHJU8E0?domain=camre.sharepoint.com
If you are UCU member you can get help and advice from the branch reps on using the procedure including union representation at stage 2. Read the procedure and contact ucu@camre.ac.uk for more information. Keep an eye out for member only workshops on the procedure in the coming period via member email bulletins.
Not a UCU Member yet ? – you can JOIN straight away via this link – UCU – Join UCU
UCU Member CPD Workshops
As a UCU member you are entitled to attend UCU CPD Workshops which includes “Challenging Excessive Workload in Education” on any of these dates so you are better informed on the issue –
Course Description – In order to tackle rising workloads and the resulting work-related stress that many members are experiencing we need to rake a collective approach to pushing back on workload.
The full aims of the interactive workshop are to:
- Identify why excessive workload is so damaging to education and staff
- Identify collective responses to tackling excessive workloads
- Develop an understanding of workload as a health and safety issue
- Make members aware of the UCU campaign on workload and how they can contribute
Tuesday 24 February 10:30am-12:00 noon click here to book
Thursday 26 March 10:30am-12:00 noon click here to book
Get Involved as UCU CRC Workload Rep
Become a UCU CRC Workload Rep for your area/dept. Fundamental to a successful workload campaign is the appointment of UCU workload reps. UCU is the first trade union to develop the concept of a workload rep. The role is an amalgam of health and safety (H&S) rep, and workplace rep. Workload reps are essentially health and safety reps with a sole focus on workload and work-related stress issues in their workplace/dept. If you are interested in this role, please contact us ASAP before 17th January 2026.
This is so we can support you to apply to your managers in reasonable time/notice to attend mandatory online training – PLEASE NOTE you must commit to completing both online training sessions listed below
Workload Rep 1 – 9.30 – 12.30 Friday February 13th
Workload Rep 2- 9.30 – 1.30pm Friday March 13th
We look forward to hearing from you so that we can tackle excessive Workload at CRC in 2026 and beyond – email ucu@camre.ac.uk
