Ei-iE

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

Caring for educators, caring for our communities

Welcome to the Education International hub dedicated to supporting the health and well-being of teachers and education support personnel (ESP) around the world. Developed in partnership with MGEN, this hub reflects our collective commitment to place education workers’ health and well-being at the centre of the global education agenda, as outlined in our 10th World Congress resolution “ Teacher and ESP well-being and mental health: vital for quality education”.

Whether you are looking for good practices, strategies, or inspiration, this hub is designed to empower unions and education communities to foster healthier, more supportive environments for teachers and education support personnel worldwide.

Share your knowledge

This hub is intended as a tool for sharing knowledge, experiences, and resources. EI member organisations are invited to contribute by sharing the resources they have developed on the health and well-being of education personnel.

You can submit your resources by filling in the form accessible through the link below:

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Showing All 53 Resources

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Educator fatigue and burnout: When teacher exhaustion goes beyond the classroom

Opinion/commentary

This article explores the nature of teacher burnout, emphasizing that educator fatigue goes far beyond long hours or classroom stress. It highlights the emotional labor involved in teaching, managing relationships, regulating emotions, and coping with administrative overload, as key contributors to chronic exhaustion. Drawing on regional data from Latin America, it reveals how institutional conditions, social pressures, and lack of support exacerbate burnout.

Publisher
Institute for the Future of Education
Country
Argentina Chile Ecuador Peru
Year of publication
2025
Region
Latin America
Topics
Mental health Physical health Workload
Available in
English
Categories of staff
Teachers
Resource type
Web page

Court of Audit: Primary school teachers spend almost a day a week on administration, which reduces job satisfaction

Opinion/commentary

The page discusses the significant administrative burden faced by primary school teachers in the Netherlands, who spend an average of 6 to 8 hours a week on administrative tasks. This high administrative workload negatively impacts their job satisfaction and contributes to a potential teacher shortage, as many consider leaving the profession. The article highlights the need for reducing administrative tasks to improve teachers' work conditions and overall job satisfaction, suggesting that even a small reduction in administrative time could free up substantial resources for better education and reduced workload.

Publisher
Algemene Onderwijsbond (AOb)
Country
Netherlands
Year of publication
2025
Region
Europe
Topics
Job satisfaction Unpaid work Workload
Available in
English Dutch
Categories of staff
Teachers
Level of education
Primary education
Resource type
Web page

Puzzling with time

Guides

The page provides seven practical tips for creating an effective work distribution plan in primary schools, emphasizing the importance of starting early, involving the entire team, and maintaining flexibility. It highlights the need for clear communication between school management and teachers, ensuring that all tasks align with individual competencies and school goals. The article also stresses the benefits of a well-structured plan in reducing stress and improving overall job satisfaction among teachers.

Publisher
Algemene Onderwijsbond (AOb)
Country
Netherlands
Year of publication
2025
Region
Europe
Topics
Job satisfaction Working conditions Workload
Available in
English Dutch
Categories of staff
Teachers
Resource type
Web page

Interview with Ivy Lynn Bourgeault on mental health

Opinion/commentary

In an interview with CAUT, Ivy Lynn Bourgeault discusses her national study on mental health across various professions, focusing on academia. The study highlights the high levels of anxiety and depression among academics due to heavy workloads, digital stress, and continuous peer evaluation. Bourgeault emphasizes the need for better mental health accommodations and support, particularly for contract academic staff who face job insecurity. She also addresses the gender gap in mental health research and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on academic staff's well-being.

State of education 2025: Teacher stress and wellbeing

Research

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.

Workplace reps handbook (England): A-Z reference manual

Guides

The Workplace Reps Handbook provides an A-Z reference manual designed to support workplace representatives in their roles. It covers a wide range of topics, including accidents at work, allegations, assaults, budgets, bullying, capability, class size, contracts, curriculum and assessment, disciplinary action, educational visits, equal opportunities, family leave, flexible working, grievances, inspections, job descriptions, pay, pensions, performance management, redundancy, sick pay and leave, stress, and work/life balance.

Publisher
NASUWT - The Teachers' Union
Country
United Kingdom
Year of publication
2025
Region
Europe
Topics
Cross-cutting resource
Available in
English
Categories of staff
Teachers Education support personnel School leaders
Resource type
Web page

Social media and online abuse of teachers

Guides

The NASUWT guide on social media and online abuse of teachers provides crucial advice for schools and colleges on protecting staff from cyber harassment and abuse. It outlines the types of online abuse teachers may face, such as trolling, online threats, and cyberstalking, and emphasizes the importance of implementing robust behaviour policies and conducting risk assessments. The guide also highlights the severe impact of online abuse on teachers' mental health and wellbeing, and stresses the need for schools to take proactive measures to ensure a safe and supportive working environment.

Publisher
NASUWT - The Teachers' Union
Country
United Kingdom
Year of publication
2025
Region
Europe
Topics
Right to disconnect and technology Safety Violence and harassment
Available in
English
Categories of staff
Teachers
Resource type
Web page

Women’s health and wellbeing: Guidance and advice on different topics

Guides

The NASUWT's Women's Health and Wellbeing toolkit offers comprehensive advice and guidance for managing health issues that specifically affect women in the workplace. The site offers three separate guides on (i) endometriosis, adenomyosis and fibroids in the workplace; (ii) managing menopause in the workplace; (iii) valuing maternity. The toolkit emphasizes the importance of creating a supportive work environments, valuing maternity, and ensuring that women receive the necessary accommodations and understanding to maintain their health and wellbeing while fulfilling their professional duties.

Publisher
NASUWT - The Teachers' Union
Country
United Kingdom
Year of publication
2025
Region
Europe
Topics
Physical health Women’s psychological and physical health
Available in
English
Categories of staff
Teachers
Specific communities
Women
Resource type
Web page

Tackling excessive teacher workload: NASUWT workload checklists

Guides

The NASUWT guide on tackling excessive teacher workload in the United Kingdom addresses the significant impact of heavy workloads on teachers' health, safety, and wellbeing. It emphasizes the need for schools to provide appropriate time for teachers to fulfill their professional duties, ensure reasonable working hours, and avoid excessive planning, marking, and administrative tasks. The guide also highlights the importance of maintaining a work-life balance, protecting teachers from unfair treatment, and ensuring that additional responsibilities come with appropriate compensation. The site includes specific guides for England and Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland.

Publisher
NASUWT - The Teachers' Union
Country
United Kingdom
Year of publication
2025
Region
Europe
Topics
Safety Unpaid work Workload
Available in
English
Categories of staff
Teachers
Resource type
Web page

Working with school and college leaders on managing staff wellbeing - Guidance for workplace representatives

Guides

The NASUWT page on managing staff wellbeing provides guidance for workplace representatives on collaborating with school and college leaders to enhance the well-being of staff. It verses about the importance of addressing both physical and psychosocial hazards, conducting stress risk assessments, and holding regular meetings with leaders to discuss and implement wellbeing initiatives.

Teachers at the limit: The most mistreated profession in Latin America

Opinion/commentary

The article is based on the documentary of the Deutsche Welle (DW), "Why Latin American Teachers Are Fleeing the Classrooms." It discusses the severe challenges faced by teachers in Latin America, including physical and verbal aggression, chronic stress, and lack of family support. It highlights the increasing teacher attrition rates due to these issues, exacerbated by overcrowded classrooms and insufficient salaries. The article emphasizes the urgent need for systemic changes to support teachers, such as better working conditions, emotional training, and stronger collaboration between families and schools. The article includes a link to the documentary.

Using the hierarchy of controls to prevent gun violence in education settings

Guides

The NEA guide introduces a structured, evidence-based framework to help schools address gun violence as a workplace hazard. Adapted from occupational health practices, the hierarchy includes five levels of intervention - elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment - prioritizing the most effective strategies first. The guide emphasizes that any measures taken must not compromise trauma-informed, culturally competent education or rely solely on "hardening" schools.

Better understanding and action for workers with endometriosis

Guides

The guide aims to support women suffering from endometriosis in the workplace. It provides detailed information on the challenges these women face and offers practical solutions for employers and managers. The guide includes recommendations such as additional leave days, flexible teleworking options, and creating a restful environment at work. It also emphasizes the importance of collective bargaining to improve working conditions and highlights the need for awareness and understanding of endometriosis among all workplace stakeholders.

Guiding victims of workplace accidents and their families

Guides

The guide aims to support victims of workplace accidents and their families. It provides comprehensive information on the steps to take and rights available following an accident. The guide includes ten detailed fact sheets covering topics such as defining a workplace accident, the consequences for employment contracts, preparing for a return to work, and obtaining compensation. It also addresses the involvement of various actors, the role of the criminal judge, and support for families in case of a fatal accident.

Suffering at work: an underestimated issue?

Policy briefs and Policies

The article discusses the significant issue of workplace suffering, highlighting that 43% of workers report experiencing some form of suffering, with 7% facing severe distress. It emphasizes the urgent need for organizations to address physical and psychosocial risks, and calls for the recognition of work-related mental illnesses as occupational diseases. The UNSA stresses the importance of better information for workers about their rights and the necessity for companies to create healthier and safer working environments.