ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the impact of decentralisation policies on the working conditions and employment relations of school staff, focusing on the managerial autonomy exercised by principals. As school leaders assume greater discretion over strategic planning, budgeting, resource allocation and staffing, they become key agents in implementing central policies through the lens of management. This shift towards managerial autonomy prioritises organisational performance and resource optimisation, but its implications for staff remain under-researched. Drawing on theories of managerialism and flexibilisation, this chapter examines how these autonomy policies affect employment conditions, highlighting concerns about the erosion of agreed standards, the intensification of teachers' work and the evolving relationship between staff and school leaders. Using interview data, the chapter provides insights into the employment experiences of school services staff, warning of the potential adverse effects of autonomy when shaped by managerial and market-driven policy frameworks.
