A guide to working to rule in the departmental office

(This guide was prepared by two member administrators.)

For those who weren't able to make it to the meeting, our main topic of discussion was how we can apply "Work to Rule" to our own jobs. Of course, every department (or school or programme) is different, so we'll all work to rule in our own ways, but we were agreed that the general principle to follow is "Does this task directly benefit the core activities (i.e. teaching and research) of my department, or is it for the benefit of the Registry (or College)?".

A few other examples discussed were:

• Enrolment Handbook drafts - the process is too far along for us to really cause any delay, but if we're given the final drafts to check, we can send them back unchecked as a symbolic action.


• Project Catalyst - if you're scheduled to receive training, don't go. Send an email asking for your training to be rescheduled after settlement.


• Exam papers - if you've received the packet of envelopes, memos, and exam requirement forms from Examinations, send them back and ask for them to be returned to you after settlement (of course, you can go ahead and actually prepare the exam papers now so that you don't have a huge backlog to rush through once we do get settlement, but don't actually submit them, and don't fill out any of the paperwork from Examinations).

Remember, before you press send, ask yourself: who does this benefit?

A few other suggestions:

• Whenever there's a task you choose not to do, reply to the email or memo with something like:
  

  As part of industrial action by the AUS, I am withdrawing my labour from any administrative tasks which are not directly related to supporting the core activities of the [insert name of your department/school/programme].
  
  Please resend your request after the current dispute has been settled, and I will attend to it then."



• If you can't decide whether to do a task, ask other departmental administrators what they're doing - it's easier to say "no" when you know everyone else is saying it too!


• If your HOD is a union member, you might want to discuss with them which tasks are most vital to keeping the department going (but remember, your HOD can't tell you not to take industrial action!)


• If there's a task that sort of benefits your department, but isn't essential, put it at the bottom of your priority list and only do it if and when you've got time. Reply by mail instead of email to introduce further delays.


• Let's keep sharing our ideas - use the "tearoom network" to communicate with other administrators in your building, or use the email list to share your ideas with administrators in the wider university.


• If you'd like a supply of fliers to leave in your reception area or to hand out to students, email Jennifer and she'll send you some.