2nd September 2024
The original Working Together procedures have been in place since 2000, and both the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) and Voluntary Primary Management Bodies at primary level agreed that it was timely to review the document to bring it up-to-date and in line with legislative developments in this area.
Over the past two years the Primary Management Bodies and the INTO have engaged extensively to conduct a review of the Working Together procedures. The group was chaired by Ms. Anne McElduff and concluded its review process in Summer 2024. The new procedures, which will take effect from the start of the 2024/25 academic year, reflect the extensive experience of all sides in supporting their members through workplace challenges.
It is intended that the revised processes contained in Working Together 2024 – Ag Obair Le Chéile will ensure a standard approach across primary schools in the relation to the prevention of workplace disputes, as well as providing a process by which any such disputes are addressed. There is also a key focus on best practice for positive staff relations in the new document.
The parties to this agreement are the Catholic Primary Schools Management Association (CPSMA), the General Synod Board of Education of the Church of Ireland, Educate Together, An Fóras Pátrúnachta, Muslim Primary Education Board, the National Association of Boards of Management in Special Education (NAMBSE) and INTO.
Boards of management are encouraged to adopt the updated Working Together 2024– Ag Obair le Chéile document at their next board meeting and to circulate the document to their staff.
The updated document Working Together 2024 – Ag Obair le Chéile is available to download in English and Irish here.