In recent weeks I experienced it myself, and not just at Schiphol: the strangling staff shortage. Cafes where we had to leave after one drink, because there was no one to tap beer. Unable to make an appointment with the hairdresser. Trains that failed because no one could drive them. Much worse than my minor inconveniences: the despair of the GP with an overcrowded waiting room, the long waiting lists at the psychologist. Parents who are peddling their baby in vain at childcare or whose contract is suddenly terminated. And of course, the school classes that are sent home when the teacher is sick, or who are taught for months by an unauthorized person.
If basic facilities are lost, that is worse than a failed holiday, then the whole country will be in shambles in no time. Without school, childcare and transport, people cannot work, without staff, companies come to a standstill. Failure to provide prompt assistance in the event of physical and psychological distress is life-threatening. Shortage of staff in jobs that really matter: how did we make that happen? How do you lure people (back) to ‘vital’ but apparently unattractive professions?
By making them more attractive, of course. More fun than boring but comfortable office jobs. But yeah. How do you get an elephant to hop? How do you make employers think from the perspective of their employees? For years, efficiency and control were the magic words in healthcare and education. Directors were not punished for poor personnel management and waste of public money.
According to the Social and Economic Council, people in care and education should work more. If part-time teachers start working half a day more per week, the teacher shortage will be solved. We’ve known that for years. But: few teachers want to work more; many yearn for fewer hours. According to the General Association of School Leaders, teachers in half of the schools want to teach less. Main reasons: the high workload.
Among teachers, on social media and in blogs, there was a howling indignation about the advice of the SER. Even more hours of work, what were those ivory tower residents thinking? Many teachers already work one day a week more than their appointment as standard, because otherwise they would not be able to complete all the preparation, marking and administration work. Do you sometimes want even more burnouts?
It’s the wrong reflex, and the anger is directed at the wrong address. Direct your displeasure to your employer, the school board. Despite the teacher shortage, boards of directors tend to take on small, temporary jobs to fill gaps. This must come to an end: boards must offer real jobs, with permanent appointments.
Of course the SER is right. But employers will have to seduce their staff. Ask what people need, what obstacles there are. If working more does not pay because the extra salary goes to childcare, solve that. Give teachers with school-age children control over their schedule.
Part-time people work relatively harder: they have to consult and coordinate more than full-timers – the part-time paradox. One day a week free trotting for the boss is crazy; it just makes overtime. Here may be the solution. Apparently many teachers can work that extra day. But then make sure they get paid for that as well. Eliminate overtime by letting non-teachers do some of the administrative and support work. For example, students who, through a part-time job – in the shelter, go to the library or the school gardens with children or read to them – are introduced to education. Complaining does not make teaching more attractive. Fantasy, creative thinking and empathy do.