Health and well-being hub

The CTF/FCE Pandemic Study Phase One Survey was conducted between June 1-18 in 2020, and had over 15,000 teachers participating. From the responses to this Survey, CTF/FCE reported on the mental health of students and teachers, and documented concerning mental health trends, as educators navigated emergency remote teaching in 2020.

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Publisher: Canadian Teachers' Federation/Fédération canadienne des enseignantes et des enseignants
Country: Canada
Year of publication: 2020

Region: North America and the Caribbean
Topics: Mental health Pandemics and epidemics Physical health
Available in: English
Resource type: Downloadable file

The Teacher Wellbeing Index 2020 reveals that the COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted the mental health of UK education staff, leading to increased stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout. The report highlights the challenges of transitioning to online teaching, managing pupil behavior, and dealing with personal safety concerns. Despite some improvements in workplace culture and organizational support, the overall wellbeing of education staff remains a critical issue, requiring urgent action to enhance working conditions and support systems to address these pandemic-related challenges effectively.

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Publisher: Education Support
Country: United Kingdom
Year of publication: 2020

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

Indeklima i folkeskolen – et overblik over typiske udfordringer og bud på handlemuligheder is a guidance pamphlet published by the Danish Union of Teachers, offering a comprehensive overview of the most common indoor climate issues in Danish public schools. It addresses challenges such as poor air quality, emissions from building materials, mold, insufficient cleaning, temperature regulation, noise, lighting conditions, and radiation exposure. The document provides practical suggestions for how workplace environment groups and school leadership can tackle and prevent these problems, including through workplace assessments (APV), collaboration with parents and students, and involvement of relevant authorities.

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Publisher: Danish Union of Teachers
Country: Denmark
Year of publication: 2019

Region: Europe
Topics: Physical health Working conditions
Available in: Danish
Categories of staff: Teachers
Level of education: Primary education
Resource type: Downloadable file

"Dagsljuskrav och utblick på arbetsplatsen": The research report explores the impact of daylight requirements and views in the workplace on health and behavior. It highlights the importance of natural light for maintaining circadian rhythms, improving sleep, reducing daytime sleepiness, and enhancing mood. The report discusses various methods for measuring daylight exposure and recommends prioritizing natural light over artificial alternatives.

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Publisher: Arbetsmiljöverket Stressforskningsinstitutet Stockholms universitet
Country: Sweden
Year of publication: 2019

Region: Europe
Topics: Mental health Physical health Working conditions
Available in: Swedish
Categories of staff: Teachers
Resource type: Downloadable file

The publication "Salud y Condiciones de Trabajo de las/os Trabajadoras/es de la Educación de la Argentina" by CTERA presents the findings of a national survey on the health and working conditions of education workers in Argentina. It highlights the economic and physical challenges faced by educators, such as low salaries, multiple job roles, and inadequate school infrastructure. The survey emphasizes the need for better working conditions, including regular maintenance of school facilities, access to clean water, and proper heating and cooling systems.

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Publisher: Confederación de Trabajadores de la Educación de la República Argentina
Country: Argentina
Year of publication: 2019

Region: Latin America
Topics: Physical health Working conditions
Available in: Spanish, Castilian
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel School leaders Union representatives
Resource type: Downloadable file

This article is part of a compilation of case studies that detail promising practices in teacher well‑being, teacher management, and school leadership. The Teacher Wellbeing Index – 2019 paints a concerning portrait of the emotional toll faced by the UK education workforce. Highlighted are elevated stress levels, particularly among senior leaders, widespread symptoms like insomnia, irritability, and mental health concerns, and alarming patterns of presenteeism. Excessive workload, poor work–life balance, and student behavioral challenges emerge as key contributors. Yet, resilience remains evident among many professionals, while gaps persist in access to and confidence in seeking support.

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Publisher: Education Support
Country: United Kingdom
Year of publication: 2019

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 publication collects a series of articles that examine the critical relationship between teachers' working conditions and their physical and mental health. It highlights the growing stress and pressure faced by educators due to neoliberal education policies, increased workloads, and precarious employment. Through diverse contributions from Latin American educators and researchers, the publication underscores how systemic issues, such as privatization and market-driven reforms, have led to deteriorating health outcomes among teachers.

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Publisher: Red SEPA (Social para la Educación Pública en América)
Country: Mexico Brazil Argentina
Year of publication: 2018

Region: Latin America
Topics: Mental health Physical health Working conditions Workload
Available in: Spanish, Castilian
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel School leaders
Resource type: Downloadable file

This toolkit provides practical guidance for school leaders to have simple and practical conversations with school employees about work-related stress. It includes models for illustration purposes, offering strategies for creating a supportive work environment, conducting risk assessments, and implementing effective stress management practices.

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Publisher: NASUWT - The Teachers' Union Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
Country: United Kingdom
Year of publication: 2018

Region: Europe
Topics: Mental health Physical health Workload
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers
Resource type: Downloadable file

This article is part of a compilation of case studies that detail promising practices in teacher well‑being, teacher management, and school leadership. The Teacher Wellbeing Index – 2018 reveals a widespread mental health crisis in the UK education sector, with high stress and poor work-life balance affecting both teachers and senior leaders. The report highlights concerning levels of presenteeism, emotional strain, and reluctance to seek help, all driven by heavy workloads, lack of support, and rising behavioral challenges. It calls for systemic cultural change to protect and prioritize staff wellbeing.

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Publisher: Education Support
Country: United Kingdom
Year of publication: 2018

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

"Salud Laboral en Tiempos de Ajuste" by CTERA explores the challenges faced by education workers in Argentina, particularly in the context of neoliberal policies. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining and advancing labor rights, ensuring safe and healthy working conditions, and promoting collective bargaining. The publication also discusses the impact of economic policies on workers' health and well-being.

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Publisher: Confederación de Trabajadores de la Educación de la República Argentina
Country: Argentina
Year of publication: 2017

Region: Latin America
Topics: Mental health Physical health Working conditions
Available in: Spanish, Castilian
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel School leaders Union representatives
Resource type: Downloadable file

This article is part of a compilation of case studies that detail promising practices in teacher well‑being, teacher management, and school leadership. The Education Staff Health Survey – 2017, the inaugural report in what would become an annual series, presents a comprehensive picture of the mental health and well‑being of education professionals across the UK. Based on responses from 1,250 staff covering schools, further education, and higher education, it finds that three‑quarters encounter work‑related physical, psychological, or behavioral symptoms, with many reporting persistent stress, disrupted work–life balance, and even presenteeism. The survey reveals that half have considered leaving the sector due to health pressures, while many suffer from insomnia, irritability, and poor performance as a result of their workload.

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Publisher: Education Support
Country: United Kingdom
Year of publication: 2017

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

The guide was created by CTERA to empower health and safety delegates in the education sector. It outlines twelve minimum conditions necessary for the proper functioning of school buildings, established through collective bargaining. The guide emphasizes the right of workers to actively participate in ensuring safe and healthy work environments, reinforcing the importance of union involvement in monitoring and advocating for labor protections in schools.

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Publisher: Confederación de Trabajadores de la Educación de la República Argentina
Country: Argentina
Year of publication: 2014

Region: Latin America
Topics: Physical health Safety Working conditions
Available in: Spanish, Castilian
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel School leaders Union representatives
Resource type: Online ressource

The research provides an in-depth analysis of the overall workload experienced by private school teachers in Argentina. It examines the physical, mental, and psychosocial demands placed on educators both during and outside school hours, highlighting how these pressures affect their health and well-being. The report reveals that many teachers face extended workdays, emotional strain, and a lack of resources to manage classroom challenges, with women disproportionately affected due to additional domestic responsibilities.

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Publisher: Sindicato Argentino de Docentes Privados (SADOP)
Country: Argentina
Year of publication: 2012

Region: Latin America
Topics: Mental health Physical health Working conditions Workload
Available in: Spanish, Castilian
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel School leaders
Resource type: Downloadable file

The resource aimed at addressing violence in educational settings, the guide provides definitions, identifies various forms of violence, and explores their causes and consequences. It offers practical strategies for prevention and intervention, emphasizing the importance of creating a safe and supportive work environment for all educational staff. The guide also outlines the legal rights and obligations related to workplace health and safety, and highlights the role of unions in supporting victims and witnesses of violence.

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Publisher: Centrale des syndicats du Québec Centre de recherche et d’intervention sur la réussite scolaire (CRIRES) Observatoire canadien pour la prévention de la violence à l’école (OCPVE) Groupe de recherche et d’intervention sur l’adaptation psychosociale et scolaire, UQTR (GRIAPS)
Country: Canada
Year of publication: 2012

Region: North America and the Caribbean
Topics: Mental health Physical health Safety Violence and harassment
Available in: French
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel School leaders Union representatives
Resource type: Downloadable file

"Spørsmål og svar: Vold og trusler om vold": The page from the union Utdanningsforbundet provides information on violence and threats in the workplace. It defines various types of violence, including physical, psychological, and sexual, and outlines the responsibilities of employers to assess risks, provide necessary training, and implement preventive measures.

Open resource in Norwegian

Publisher: Union of Education Norway (UEN)
Country: Norway

Region: Europe
Topics: Physical health Safety Violence and harassment
Available in: Norwegian
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel School leaders
Resource type: Web page

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Physical health

Showing 75 Resources Filtered by:

Canadian teachers responding to coronavirus (COVID-19) – Pandemic research study mental health report

Teacher wellbeing index - 2020

Indoor climat in elementary school: An overview of typical challenges and suggestions for action

Daylight Requirements and Views in the Workplace: Effects on Health and Behavior

Health and working conditions of education workers in Argentina: CTERA national survey

Teacher wellbeing index - 2019

Working conditions and teacher health

Talking toolkit preventing work-related stress in schools

Teacher wellbeing index - 2018

CTERA occupational health magazine: Healthy and safe work

Health survey - 2017

Healthy and safe work: The active participation of workers is a right

Overall workload of teaching staff

Guide for the prevention and intervention against violence toward education staff

Questions and answers: Violence and threats of violence