tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5939915290794973654.post8386371788048446917..comments2024-03-08T14:23:31.503-05:00Comments on A Puff of Absurdity: On a Four-Hour WorkdayMarie Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13872774009526266579noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5939915290794973654.post-27507189143545269232013-08-05T08:53:59.476-04:002013-08-05T08:53:59.476-04:00You're right about the restrictions. I can on...You're right about the restrictions. I can only take a part time leave of absence for two consecutive years - and that's for nobody's benefit that I can see. It's just what it's always been. And about retired teachers - absolutely. Right now in Ontario, with the pension teachers get (about 3/4 take-home pay), I don't think any retired teachers should be allowed to supply. But, just like the kids, we're all so uppity about our rights, we forget about our responsibilities. <br /><br />The idea at the link look like it could be easily implemented here, right now. Marie Snyderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13872774009526266579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5939915290794973654.post-24846849027254213962013-08-04T11:45:36.968-04:002013-08-04T11:45:36.968-04:00As always, Marie, your post is thought-provoking. ...As always, Marie, your post is thought-provoking. I find myself in agreement with your observations, but I also think that one of the additional impediments to more people job-sharing, working less so others can have a job, etc. is structural in nature. <br /><br />Many companies and unions think in very traditional ways so that, for example, leaves of absences for protracted periods of time are not still the exception, rather than the norm. Even in teaching, most boards may have a four-over-five provision, but the number of leaves a person can take are fairly limited. <br /><br />A new way of thinking, as embraced by Germany, is needed. You may find this link of interest, as it decribes how that country avoids laying off people uring times of slow demand:<br />http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=ax3kyE3bILDY<br /><br />In terms of the teaching profession, what has bothered me for a long time is the fact that some teachers, when they retire, go on to do supply work, thereby denying young people an opportunity to get a foothold into the profession. About a year before I retired, i wrote an article in our local teacher publication criticising such behaviour, and i took considerable flack from people for it. Nonetheless, it is still something that I see as largely motivated by selfishness and no regard for others.<br />Lornehttp://www.politicsanditsdiscontents.blogspot.canoreply@blogger.com