Ei-iE

Health and well-being hub

Working conditions

The physical conditions of a learning environment have a direct impact on the well-being and health of teachers and education support personnel. When school buildings are well-maintained, classrooms are adequately ventilated and lit, and learning materials are accessible, it creates a space where individuals can focus, feel comfortable, and engage more effectively. On the other hand, overcrowded classrooms, poor infrastructure, or a lack of basic resources can lead to stress, fatigue, and even health issues, which in turn affect the quality of teaching and learning.

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Topics: Working conditions
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Model stress risk assessment for schools and colleges

Toolkits

The document serves as a model framework to help educational institutions identify and manage stress-related risks among staff. It emphasizes the importance of consulting union representatives during the assessment process and offers practical guidance to promote well-being and prevent work-related stress. Designed as an example of good practice, the assessment supports schools and colleges in creating healthier working environments through proactive risk management.

Open resource in English
Publisher
National Education Union
Country
United Kingdom
Year of publication
2025
Region
Europe
Topics
Mental health Violence and harassment Working conditions Workload
Available in
English
Categories of staff
Teachers Education support personnel School leaders
Resource type
Downloadable file

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

Heatwave: your rights, our interventions

Guides

The guidance page by SNES-FSU addressing the impact of extreme heat on working conditions in French schools can serve as inspiration to other organisations when their schools experience similar extreme weather conditions. It outlines the rights of education staff during heatwaves, including adjustments to working hours, access to drinking water, and the possibility of exercising alert and withdrawal rights in unsafe conditions. The page also highlights SNES-FSU’s advocacy efforts with the Ministry of Education, pushing for flexible exam schedules and better protection for vulnerable staff. It emphasizes the need for long-term investment in school infrastructure to adapt to climate change and ensure safe working environments.

Open resource in French
Publisher
Syndicat national des enseignements de second degré (SNES-FSU)
Country
France
Year of publication
2025
Region
Europe
Topics
Climate change Physical health Working conditions
Available in
French
Categories of staff
Teachers Education support personnel School leaders
Resource type
Online ressource

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.

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Publisher
Algemene Onderwijsbond
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

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.

Open resource in English
Publisher
National Education Union
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

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.

Open resource in English
Publisher
NASUWT - The Teachers' Union
Country
United Kingdom
Year of publication
2025
Region
Europe
Topics
Mental health Physical health Working conditions Workload
Available in
English
Categories of staff
Teachers Education support personnel School leaders
Resource type
Web page

Violence and aggression against educators and school personnel, retention, stress, and training needs: National survey results

Research

The research article investigates the alarming rise in violence and aggression against educators in the United States, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing on two large-scale surveys conducted before and after pandemic restrictions, the study reveals that incidents of verbal harassment, threats, cyberbullying, and physical violence have surged, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. This increase has led to a significant rise in educators expressing intentions to resign or transfer.

Download resource in English
Publisher
American Psychologist
Country
United States of America
Year of publication
2024
Region
North America and the Caribbean
Topics
Pandemics and epidemics Safety Violence and harassment Working conditions
Available in
English
Categories of staff
Teachers Education support personnel School leaders
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

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.

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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

State of education 2024: Workload and wellbeing

Research

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
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

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.

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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

Larger classes and more students with special needs: Effects of class characteristics on workload, job satisfaction, and absenteeism

Research

"Grotere klassen en meer zorgleerlingen: Invloeden van klassenkenmerken op werkdruk, tevredenheid en verzuim": The report investigates the impact of larger class sizes and the presence of more students requiring special care on teachers' workload, satisfaction, and absenteeism in primary and secondary education in the Netherlands. Based on a survey of over 7,000 teachers, the findings reveal that larger classes and a higher proportion of students with specific are needs correlate with increased work pressure, lower job satisfaction, and higher absenteeism rates. Teachers expect that reducing class size or providing more support for diverse needs could help alleviate the pressure and workload.

Download resource in Dutch
Publisher
Algemene Onderwijsbond
Country
Netherlands
Year of publication
2023
Region
Europe
Topics
Working conditions Workload
Available in
Dutch
Categories of staff
Teachers
Level of education
Primary education Secondary education
Resource type
Downloadable file

Violence, threats and power application

Guides

Vold, trusler og magtanvendelseg is a guidance document aimed at supporting teachers and school staff in handling situations involving violence, threats, and the use of force in Danish schools. It outlines the legal framework, including the rights and obligations of employees, and provides practical advice on how to respond to incidents, report them, and seek support. The pamphlet emphasizes the importance of preventive measures, clear communication, and collaboration between staff, management, and local authorities to ensure a safe and respectful working environment.

Download resource in Danish
Publisher
Danish Union of Teachers
Country
Denmark
Year of publication
2022
Region
Europe
Topics
Physical health Violence and harassment Working conditions
Available in
Danish
Categories of staff
Teachers
Resource type
Downloadable file

Guidance note on teacher wellbeing in emergency settings

Guides

The guidance note provides strategies to support teachers' mental health and overall wellbeing in crisis contexts. It emphasizes the importance of promoting access to mental health and psychosocial support, creating enabling work environments, and enhancing teacher voice, agency, and leadership. The guidance is aligned with the INEE Minimum Standards and offers practical recommendations, tools, and examples to help educators, policymakers, and humanitarian actors improve the resilience and effectiveness of education systems in emergencies.

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Publisher
Inter-agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE)
Country
Kenya Palestine Myanmar Colombia
Year of publication
2022
Topics
Leadership Mental health Safety Working conditions
Available in
English French Spanish, Castilian Portuguese Arabic Ukrainian
Categories of staff
Teachers
Resource type
Downloadable file

Supporting our mental health and wellbeing

Guides

This short film created by the teacher union EIS during Mental Health Awareness Week, features three members who share personal insights on the critical role of mental health in education. The video emphasizes how collective action through union support can lead to meaningful improvements in workplace wellbeing.

Open resource in English
Publisher
Educational Institute of Scotland
Country
United Kingdom
Year of publication
2022
Region
Europe
Topics
Mental health Physical health Working conditions
Available in
English
Categories of staff
Teachers
Resource type
Video