June 2002

Balancing Work and Life

Balancing work, family and a social life is not easy for today’s college manager. The need to meet targets, improve quality and cope with inspections, often with insufficient staff or resources, can lead to long working hours and low morale.

So how do we balance work and everyday life? One answer is in the organisation of working time: when we work; for how long; and how we balance working time with time outside of work.

But family-friendly concerns are not the only consideration – finding the time for learning, or taking part in community life, are equally powerful motivators for balancing life at work with life outside.

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has developed an innovative resource to look at how we can make such changes in these changing times.

You can find out more by visiting www.tuc.org/changingtimes.

Following, ACM’s affiliation to the TUC Peter Pendle met the TUC General Secretary, John Monks, on 5th March 2002. Peter is pictured discussing the Association’s policies with John Monks.

Facing up to Restructuring

Restructuring and redundancy issues continue to be the most common topic of enquiry to the ACM Helpline. In the first three months of this year, one in every five calls was from a member facing just such a situation.

Sadly, this will come as no surprise to members as colleges continue the cycle of restructuring. Some members have been through the process two or three times already, prompting questions about how much leaner their management structure can become. But while most colleges do consult unions about proposed changes, some try to shortcut the process.

So it’s important when a restructuring is on the cards that ACM is organised. Although ACM provides a caseworker to any branch undergoing a restructuring, it is a lot easier if the members are prepared. By this we mean electing someone to represent members at consultative meetings, and to report back to members and the caseworker.

Even if ACM isn’t recognised, it still adds weight to our caseworker’s efforts if we have a high level of membership at the college. So please help us to help you by building up ACM membership at your college, and developing your branch. The ACM office in Leicester can supply membership packs and advice on setting up or improving a branch. Contact us on 0116 275 5076 or by e-mail at admin@acm.uk.com.

CINDERELLA TO SUCCESS - HARD WORK AND NO MAGIC WAND

John Harwood, Chief Executive Learning & Skills Council, will address managers at the ACM Debate, sponsored by TES, to be held 12th September 2002 in London.

KEY ISSUES IN NORTHERN IRELAND

THE IMPLICATIONS FOR MANAGERS

David Hunter, Chief Executive FENTO, will address managers in Northern Ireland at the ACM Seminar, sponsored by Capita Education Services, to be held on 17th October 2002 in Belfast.