The best risk prevention is foresight. And it begins right here.

Managing risk is about anticipating problems and taking simple steps to prevent issues before they arise.

Use this simple self assessment checklist to
manage areas of risk in your school.

Employment
Disputes

Health & Safety
in Schools

By taking a few simple steps it’s surprising the difference you can make to manage risk and reduce time, resource and cost.

Use this checklist to improve your risk profile.

Section 1: Employment Disputes Before you make an appointment.
1. Have you prepared an application form that asks appropriate background questions? If no... see the example prepared by NZSTA here This field is required.
2. Have you checked that a person applying for a teaching position is registered? If no... check here This field is required.
3. Have you prepared a job description that accurately summarises the duties that the person will have? If no... please contact a NZSTA advisor for assistance.here This field is required.
Section 2: Interviewing Interviewing the candidate
4. Have you prepared a list of questions focusing on the attributes important to your school? This field is required.
5. Have you taken and checked references? Note... Ask direct questions, for example, explain the new position and ask the referee if they consider that the candidate is appropriate and why. This field is required.
6. Have you prepared a letter of confirmation for the successful candidate? Note... If the appointment is on a fixed term, the reasons for that fixed term need to be explained. See some example letters of appointment here. Note that it is now possible to appoint an employee for a trial period of up to 90 days. This field is required.
Section 3: Employment Employment Agreements
7. Have all your staff signed written employment agreements? If no... see the example prepared by NZSTA here. This field is required.
8. Have you reviewed your employees’ employment agreements to ensure that they are compliant with the current legislation? If no... If no please refer to NZSTA - http://www.nzsta.org.nz/board-as-employers/employment-legislationwww.dol.govt.nzor contact your local NZSTA advisor to assist http://www.nzsta.org.nz/nzsta-services/industrial-and-personnel-advisors/ This field is required.
9. Are there genuine reasons for fixed term agreements? If no or there are questions... please refer to NZSTAhttp://www.nzsta.org.nz/board-as-employers/appointment-process/http://www.nzsta.org.nz/nzsta-services/industrial-and-personnel-advisors/ This field is required.
10. Are there genuine reasons for fixed term agreements? If no... or if there are an questions, please refer to STA This field is required.
Section 4: Policies Policies
11. Do you have written employment policies and are they given to all employees? If no... please contact your local NZSTA advisor for assistancerefer to STA This field is required.
Section 5: Performance management Performance management
12. Are you aware of the mandatory requirements for performance management in schools? If no... please refer to STA This field is required.
Section 6: Employment Disputes Employment Disputes
13. Are you undertaking a disciplinary process for an employee or is there a staff dispute? If yes... go to next question This field is required.
14. If Yes to previous question - Have the Board sought specialist employment law advice? If no... refer to www.nzsta.org.nz for advice. The Department of Labour website provides general advice on employment relations and regulations This field is required.
15. Has the Board notified Lumley of the employment dispute? If no... please refer to your local NZSTA representative and Lumley
Further information can be found on the website of Heaney & Co, the solicitors often appointed to assist when an employment dispute occurs. This field is required.
Section 7: Results Results summary and actions

Actions

Print out your checklist using button below.

Review your ‘No’ answers carefully and visit suggested websites.

Create a list of your weak areas and make plans to address them with the appropriate people.

Put a reminder in your calendar to redo the test in 3-6 months to see how you have improved and to identify areas that still need work.

If you need more support contact us on 0800 293 031

Print my checklist

ResourcesMinistry of Education Health and Safety Code of Practice for schools -  availlable here

Ministry of Education Health and Safety Code of Practice for State and State Integrated Schools

Department of Labour- visit the OSH website or call 0800 209020

ACC WorkSafe series for schools - visit www.acc.co.nz/injury prevention