Ei-iE

Health and well-being hub

Safety

Safety is a foundational component of well-being, particularly in contexts affected by crisis, conflict, or instability. Physical and psychological security is a basic human need, and its absence can severely compromise the mental and emotional health of teachers and education support personnel. This is particularly acute in regions where schools are targets of violence and wars or political unrest, where the threat to personal safety is compounded by a lack of professional development, formal certification, and adequate compensation. The psychological toll of working in emergency or conflict-affected environments highlights the urgent need for protective measures and institutional support. A secure and safe environment is also essential, as feeling protected from physical harm contributes significantly to a sense of well-being and allows both staff and students to concentrate on their roles without fear or distraction.

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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.

Open resource in English
Publisher
National Education Association (NEA)
Country
United States of America
Year of publication
2024
Region
North America and the Caribbean
Topics
Physical health Safety
Available in
English
Categories of staff
Teachers Education support personnel School leaders Union representatives
Resource type
Web page

School gun violence prevention and response guide

Guides

This guide is a four-part resource designed to help education personel, school staff, and community leaders address the growing crisis of gun violence in educational settings. It covers strategies for prevention, preparation, response, and recovery, emphasizing trauma-informed practices, mental health support, and policy advocacy. The guide aims to foster safer school environments by equipping stakeholders with actionable checklists, insights into warning signs, and tools for healing after incidents, all while advocating for systemic change to protect students and workers.

Download resource in English
Publisher
National Education Association (NEA) The Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund
Country
United States of America
Year of publication
2024
Region
North America and the Caribbean
Topics
Physical health Safety
Available in
English
Categories of staff
Teachers Education support personnel School leaders Union representatives
Resource type
Downloadable file

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.

Open resource in French
Publisher
Union nationale des syndicats autonomes - Education Direction Générale du Travail (DGT)
Country
France
Year of publication
2024
Region
Europe
Topics
Safety Working conditions
Available in
French
Categories of staff
Teachers Education support personnel School leaders Researchers
Resource type
Web page

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.

Open resource in French
Publisher
Union nationale des syndicats autonomes - Education
Country
France
Year of publication
2024
Region
Europe
Topics
Mental health Physical health Safety Violence and harassment
Available in
French
Categories of staff
Teachers
Resource type
Web page

Working on greater social safety

Guides

The article discusses strategies for improving social safety in educational institutions. It highlights the importance of understanding team dynamics, seeking external help for team problems, addressing conflicts proactively, and ensuring good leadership. The article also emphasizes the need for clear rules of conduct, effective personnel policies, and a transparent complaints structure to create a safe and pleasant working environment for all staff members.

Open resource in English Open resource in Dutch
Publisher
Algemene Onderwijsbond
Country
Netherlands
Year of publication
2024
Region
Europe
Topics
Mental health Safety Violence and harassment Working conditions
Available in
English Dutch
Categories of staff
Teachers Education support personnel School leaders
Resource type
Web page

Health and safety in schools and colleges

Guides

This guide on health and safety in schools and colleges provides essential information for ensuring a safe educational environment. It outlines the responsibilities of employers under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, including risk assessments and the implementation of safety measures. The guide covers various topics such as accident reporting, administration of medicines, asbestos management, fire safety, mental health, and work-related stress. It emphasizes the importance of a written health and safety policy and the need for collaboration with union safety representatives to maintain a safe and healthy workplace for all staff and students.

Open resource in English
Publisher
National Education Union
Country
United Kingdom
Year of publication
2024
Region
Europe
Topics
Mental health Physical health Safety
Available in
English
Categories of staff
Teachers Education support personnel School leaders
Resource type
Web page

Teachers in crisis and emergency contexts: Challenges and promising practices in Africa

Webinar and conference recordings

The overall goal of the webinar is to create an opportunity for education authorities, partners in education, school leaders, teachers, and teacher educators to explore and deliberate on the various strategies that can strengthen education sector interventions for teachers in crisis and emergency contexts through the sharing of best practices that have been implemented by the various partners in Africa. More specifically, the webinar will provide a platform to: (i) Deliberate on the persistent challenges and promising practices for teachers in crisis contexts and refugee settlements in the Horn of Africa; (ii) Share how best countries in Africa can improve and manage the well-being of Teachers in crisis and refugee settlements in Africa; (iii) Discuss strategies for promoting teachers' well-being, management, and school leadership in crisis settings; and (iv) Share innovations, resources, and best practices that have worked around teachers' management, motivations, and data systems and their linkages with the national overall programming of teachers.

Open resource in English
Publisher
UNESCO IICBA
Year of publication
2023
Region
Africa
Topics
Leadership Resources and conditions Safety
Available in
English
Categories of staff
Teachers School leaders
Resource type
Video

The fundamental conventions on occupational safety and health

Guides

This guide describes the requirements set out in the fundamental OSH Conventions, the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) and the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health, 2006 (No. 187), recognizing the complementarity of these two instruments to ensure good OSH governance at national level and sound OSH management at workplace level. To provide further guidance about the implementation of Conventions Nos 155 and 187, the publication also includes key provisions from the accompanying Recommendations 164 and 197.

Open resource in Spanish Download resource in English Download resource in French
Publisher
International Labour Organization (ILO)
Year of publication
2023
Topics
Physical health Safety Working conditions
Available in
English Spanish, Castilian French
Categories of staff
Teachers Education support personnel School leaders Union representatives
Resource type
Downloadable file

National survey plan of educational institutions

Research

The National Survey Plan of Educational Institutions is a comprehensive initiative led by SADOP aimed at gathering detailed insights into the working conditions within educational institutions across Argentina. It collects the perspectives of educators and union representatives to assess infrastructure, health and safety risks, and labor rights compliance. The plan serves as a collective tool for generating knowledge and promoting union-led interventions to improve teaching environments. It emphasizes the importance of viewing schools as workplaces and advocates for dignified, healthy conditions to enhance educational quality.

Open resource in Spanish
Publisher
Sindicato Argentino de Docentes Privados (SADOP)
Country
Argentina
Year of publication
2020
Region
Latin America
Topics
Physical health Safety Working conditions
Available in
Spanish, Castilian
Categories of staff
Teachers Education support personnel School leaders
Resource type
Downloadable file

The New Training Package on Essentials in Occupational Safety and Health (EOSH)

Course or training materials

This is an innovative, modular suite of 29 interactive online learning modules designed to promote a culture of health and safety in the workplace. Covering a wide range of topics from risk assessment to emergency response and workplace ergonomics, the EOSH package is accessible across devices and adaptable to various sectors and audiences. It offers customizable training solutions for employers’ organizations and other entities.

Open resource in English
Publisher
International Labour Organization (ILO)
Topics
Safety Working conditions
Available in
English
Categories of staff
Teachers Education support personnel School leaders Union representatives
Resource type
Online ressource

Preventing psychosocial risks in education: Joint European guidelines 2025

The 2025 Guidelines offer a framework to help education employers and trade unions prevent and manage psychosocial risks in the education sector. Building on the 2016 version, this revision reflects the evolving challenges post-COVID, including digitalisation, increased classroom complexity, and rising stress levels among staff. The Guidelines emphasize the importance of safe, healthy, and supportive working environments as essential for quality education, and advocate for collaborative action, effective legislation, and tailored risk assessments.

Open resource in English
Publisher
European Trade Union Committee for Education (ETUCE) European Federation for Education Employers (EFEE)
Year of publication
2025
Region
Europe
Topics
Mental health Right to disconnect and technology Safety Working conditions
Available in
English
Categories of staff
Teachers Education support personnel School leaders Union representatives

The silent struggle: When teachers become the target

Research

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

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.

Open resource in English
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

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.

Open resource in English
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

Occupational health care and early support

This "Työterveyshuolto ja varhainen tuki" guide of the Finnish union OAJ explains how occupational health care and early support play a vital role in maintaining and restoring work ability in the education sector. It outlines the responsibilities of employers to ensure equal access to preventive health services, monitor employee well-being, and initiate early support discussions when challenges arise. The process includes workplace assessments, health evaluations, and collaborative negotiations involving employees, supervisors, and occupational health professionals. The goal is to identify issues early, adapt work conditions if needed, and support educators in continuing their professional roles effectively and safely.

Open resource in Finnish Open resource in Swedish
Publisher
Opetusalan Ammattijärjestö (OAJ)
Country
Finland
Year of publication
2024
Region
Europe
Topics
Physical health Safety Working conditions
Available in
Finnish Swedish
Categories of staff
Teachers Education support personnel School leaders