Health and well-being hub

The article discusses some of the results of the State of Education 2024 survey where over 8,000 National Education Union members participated. The survey asked teachers and support staff about their personal experience of workload and the forces affecting their wellbeing. The survey reveals that the majority of teachers and support staff in England and Wales are struggling with unmanageable workloads, leading to significant stress and poor work-life balance. Key factors related to stress include government-driven factors such as inspections, insufficient staffing levels, and lack of resources.

Open resource in English

Publisher: National Education Union (NEU)
Country: United Kingdom
Year of publication: 2024

Region: Europe
Topics: Mental health Salaries and remuneration Working conditions Workload
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel
Resource type: Web page

This report draws on a survey of over 3,000 UK education professionals to reveal persistently high levels of stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout across the sector, with 77% of staff reporting mental health symptoms linked to their work. It highlights a worrying increase in challenging behavior from pupils (82%) and difficult interactions with parents (70%), both of which significantly impact staff wellbeing, and underscores the negative effects of inadequate support from public services on morale and work-life balance. While there are slight improvements in perceptions of workplace culture, concerns such as insomnia (46%), irritability, and concentration difficulties remain widespread.

Download resource in English

Publisher: Education Support
Country: United Kingdom
Year of publication: 2024

Region: Europe
Topics: Cross-cutting resource Leadership Mental health Peer relationships Physical health Respect Violence and harassment Workload
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel School leaders
Level of education: Early childhood education Primary education Secondary education
Resource type: Downloadable file

This report verses about the urgent need to address teacher well-being globally. It emphasizes the importance of improving teachers' mental and physical health, job satisfaction, and resilience through systemic changes. The report identifies key factors affecting teacher well-being, such as workload, stress, and burnout, and advocates for collaborative efforts among governments, educational institutions, and international organizations to implement effective policies. It also explores the potential for a global index to measure teacher well-being, considering cultural and contextual differences.

Open resource in English

Publisher: Education International (EI) Education Support
Year of publication: 2024

Topics: Cross-cutting resource
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel School leaders
Level of education: Early childhood education Primary education Secondary education
Specific communities: Early-stage career Ethnic minorities Women
Resource type: Downloadable file

The research study aims to expand the knowledge base of the long-term impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the education sector across Europe, with a specific focus on the rise and prevalence of psychosocial risks. This report examines the various work dimensions that contribute to the emergence, prevalence, and mitigation of such risks for education professionals in the workplace and beyond.

Download resource in English

Publisher: European Trade Union Committee for Education (ETUCE) European Federation for Education Employers (EFEE)
Year of publication: 2025

Region: Europe
Topics: Pandemics and epidemics
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel School leaders
Resource type: Downloadable file

This report presents a national analysis of teachers’ work environments and wellbeing in Australian government schools, based on data from 950 teachers and benchmarked against other professions. Using the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ III), it explores key psychosocial factors, such as workload, emotional demands, role clarity, support systems, and school culture, that influence teacher stress, burnout, and wellbeing. The findings reveal unique pressures faced by teachers and highlight the need for targeted policy interventions to improve working conditions, support teacher health, and enhance workforce sustainability.

Download resource in English

Publisher: Deakin University Educational Impact (REDI)
Country: Australia
Year of publication: 2025

Region: Asia Pacific
Topics: Mental health Working conditions Workload
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers
Resource type: Downloadable file

The research paper investigates the psychosocial work environment of Australian teachers to understand why many consider leaving the profession. Using data from 744 teachers in government schools, the study applies statistical analyses to identify 14 key variables linked to teachers’ intentions to leave. Findings reveal that factors such as emotional demands, work-family conflict, violence, stress, and depressive symptoms increase the likelihood of departure, while job satisfaction, commitment, and meaningful work reduce it. Career stage also plays a role, with mid- and late-career teachers more likely to consider leaving than early-career ones.

Download resource in English

Publisher: The Australian Educational Researcher
Country: Australia
Year of publication: 2025

Region: Asia Pacific
Topics: Mental health Violence and harassment Working conditions Workload
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers
Resource type: Downloadable file

The research explores the growing issue of violence against teachers in schools. It challenges the notion that stricter discipline, such as the revival of corporal punishment, would resolve classroom disorder. Instead, the article argues that the root causes lie in deeper systemic issues within school environments. Drawing on data and expert insights, it highlights how inadequate support, deteriorating conditions, and policy gaps contribute to the vulnerability of educators, urging a reevaluation of how schools address safety and discipline.

Open resource in English

Publisher: Sunstone Institute
Country: United States of America
Year of publication: 2025

Region: North America and the Caribbean
Topics: Safety Violence and harassment Working conditions
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers
Resource type: Online ressource

The article discusses some of the results of the State of Education 2025 survey where over 14,000 teachers in public schools participated. It highlights the pervasive issue of stress and poor work-life balance among educators. The findings reveal that nearly two-thirds of teachers experience stress more than 60% of the time, with female teachers and those in primary schools being particularly affected. The survey underscores the need for increased funding, improved pay, and flexible working conditions to address the ongoing recruitment and retention crisis and to make teaching more compatible with personal life.

Open resource in English

Publisher: National Education Union (NEU)
Country: United Kingdom
Year of publication: 2025

Region: Europe
Topics: Mental health Salaries and remuneration Working conditions Workload
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel
Resource type: Web page

Ei-iE

Health and well-being hub Education International’s resource center

Showing 68 Resources Filtered by:

State of education 2024: Workload and wellbeing

Teacher wellbeing index - 2024

Teacher well-being: A global understanding

Occupational wellbeing in European education systems: Social Partners in education addressing the lasting impact of the COVID-19 crisis

The Australian teacher work, health and wellbeing report: An analysis of teachers’ psychosocial work environments and wellbeing in government schools

Teachers’ working conditions, wellbeing and retention: an exploratory analysis to identify the key factors associated with teachers’ intention to leave

The silent struggle: When teachers become the target

State of education 2025: Teacher stress and wellbeing