What are you entitled to?
a) Pay scales
Pay scales apply to teachers who are part of a Collective Agreement, such as the Kindergarten Teachers’ Collective Agreement or the Early Childhood Education Collective Agreement. They also apply to teachers who work at ECE centres who have opted into pay-parity. The pay scale means teachers have:
- An agreed, guaranteed salary
- Pay that matches their experience
- Career progression (i.e.: annual pay increase)
You can find the pay scales for Kindergarten and Early Childhood teachers in their collective agreements – check out our Collective Agreements page.
b) A salary vs an hourly rate
A salary ensures that your pay is spread across all 52 weeks of the year. If you are paid an hourly rate, this applies to the actual hours/days that you work, including your leave entitlements. Have a good look at your employment agreement. If you’re on a salary, there should be:
- Some limitations on maximum hours per week and/or a mechanism for payment of any additional hours worked.
- Reference to break time entitlements.
- Reference to non-contact time.
- Entitlements for payment or time in lieu, for attendance at after-hours meetings.
- Clear provisions setting out leave entitlements.
Things to look out for if you’re paid on an hourly rate:
- Reference to break time entitlements
- Reference to non-contact time
- Entitlements for payment or time in lieu for attendance at after-hours meetings
- Clear provisions setting out leave entitlements.