Health and well-being hub

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

" Fatores de risco e proteção para doenças crônicas não transmissíveis entre professores da educação básica": The article investigates the prevalence of risk and protective factors for noncommunicable chronic diseases among primary education teachers in Montes Claros, Brazil. Conducted in 2016, this cross-sectional study found that smoking, alcohol abuse, overweight, and mental health issues were common risk factors, while physical activity and a balanced diet were notable protective factors. The study also highlighted significant differences in these factors based on gender, age, and job satisfaction, emphasizing the need for targeted health interventions to improve teachers' well-being and reduce the prevalence of NCDs in this population.

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Publisher: Revista Brasileira de Saúde Ocupacional
Country: Brazil
Year of publication: 2023

Region: Latin America
Topics: Leadership Physical health
Available in: Portuguese
Categories of staff: Teachers
Level of education: Primary education
Resource type: Web page

"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.

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Publisher: Algemene Onderwijsbond (AOb)
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

The page offers practical advice for teachers on preventing burnout, featuring tips from educators, a supervisor, and a researcher. It highlights the importance of self-awareness, open communication with school management, and mutual support among colleagues. The page also emphasizes the need for school leaders to recognize and address teachers' concerns, provide personal attention, and create a positive work environment. Additionally, it suggests practical exercises and resources to help teachers manage stress and maintain their passion for teaching.

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Publisher: Algemene Onderwijsbond (AOb)
Country: Netherlands
Year of publication: 2023

Region: Europe
Topics: Mental health Social emotional skills
Available in: English Dutch
Categories of staff: Teachers
Resource type: Web page

The page provides practical steps for addressing poor ventilation in the workplace, emphasizing its importance for health and productivity. It suggests measuring CO2 levels, reporting issues to management, and involving works councils to ensure proper ventilation standards are met. The page also advises on escalating unresolved issues to the Labor Inspectorate and highlights the right to stop work if conditions are unsafe. Additionally, it offers resources and guidelines for improving air quality in educational settings.

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Publisher: Algemene Onderwijsbond (AOb)
Country: Netherlands
Year of publication: 2023

Region: Europe
Topics: Physical health Safety Working conditions
Available in: English Dutch
Categories of staff: Teachers
Resource type: Web page

The page provides facts about stress at work, highlighting its potential to adversely affect both mental and physical health. It explains that stress can arise from various sources, including organizational changes, work overload, and relationship difficulties. The page details the physiological and psychological effects of chronic stress, such as heart disease, ulcers, anxiety, and depression. It also emphasizes the importance of employers having clear policies on stress and conducting risk assessments. Practical advice is offered for coping with work pressures, and resources are provided for further support.

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Publisher: Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS)
Country: United Kingdom
Year of publication: 2023

Region: Europe
Topics: Mental health Physical health
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers
Resource type: Web page

"Qualidade de vida: Um futuro bem vivido no presente" highlights the journey of Ney Conceição Messias Junior, a former public school teacher who transformed his life through meditation and mindfulness. At 61, Ney combines intense physical activities with his work as a gerontology specialist, advocating for successful aging and quality of life. He emphasizes the importance of mental and emotional self-care, sharing his experiences of overcoming health issues through meditation.

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Publisher: Confederação Nacional dos Trabalhadores em Educação (CNTE)
Country: Brazil
Year of publication: 2023

Region: Latin America
Topics: Mental health
Available in: Portuguese
Categories of staff: Teachers
Resource type: Web page

The self‑care assessment tool helps individuals reflect on and measure their self‑care habits across five key areas, physical, psychological/emotional, social, spiritual, and professional. Drawing from established practices by TherapistAid.com, it prompts users to rate how well they engage in everyday self‑care activities (like getting enough sleep, expressing emotions, nurturing relationships, reflecting on values, and maintaining work–life balance) on a simple 1–3 scale. The goal is to highlight patterns and pinpoint areas needing attention, while emphasizing that there's no “right” or “wrong” way to self‑care.

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Publisher: American Federation of Teachers (AFT)
Country: United States of America
Year of publication: 2023

Region: North America and the Caribbean
Topics: Cross-cutting resource Mental health Social emotional skills
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel School leaders
Resource type: Downloadable file

The document outlines strategies to address educator burnout and improve their well-being. It highlights the importance of supporting educators through research-based strategies, professional development, and systemic changes. The report emphasizes the link between educator well-being and student outcomes.

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Publisher: American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Educators Thriving
Country: United States of America
Year of publication: 2023

Region: North America and the Caribbean
Topics: Job satisfaction Mental health Workload
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers
Resource type: Downloadable file

The article, based on findings from a global survey of over 900 public administration faculty, identifies three key lessons and reveals widespread physical and emotional exhaustion among respondents. It underscores the urgent need for higher education institutions to address faculty burnout, which has been intensified by low pay, limited opportunities for advancement, and the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The article stresses the importance of understanding faculty experiences and implementing solutions, such as improved financial security, supportive career pathways, and policies that foster work-life balance, to enhance faculty well-being and retention.

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Publisher: Inside Higher Ed
Country: United States of America
Year of publication: 2023

Region: North America and the Caribbean
Topics: Cross-cutting resource Mental health Pandemics and epidemics Physical health Workload
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel Researchers Union representatives
Level of education: Higher education and research
Resource type: Web page

A five-part video series on teachers’ social-emotional skills, designed to help educators develop essential abilities that enhance both personal well-being and professional effectiveness. The journey begins with self-discovery, introducing techniques to cultivate self-awareness and self-management through mindfulness practices. These tools are intended to support personal healing, strengthen connection to one’s purpose, and foster greater satisfaction in teaching practice.

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Publisher: National Education Association (NEA)
Country: United States of America
Year of publication: 2023

Region: North America and the Caribbean
Topics: Mental health Social emotional skills
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers
Resource type: Video

This executive summary of the research report provides an overview of the findings from a study on teacher workload in Ireland. It highlights the increasing demands on teachers and principals, including administrative tasks, curriculum overload, and special education needs. The report emphasizes the need for additional support, such as administrative assistance, reduced class sizes, and dedicated time for planning and collaboration. .

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Publisher: Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO)
Country: Ireland
Year of publication: 2023

Region: Europe
Topics: Workload
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel School leaders Union representatives
Resource type: Downloadable file

The "Menopause in the Workplace Policy Framework" provides comprehensive guidelines for civil service organizations to support employees experiencing menopause. It emphasizes creating an inclusive and supportive work environment, detailing key principles such as health, safety, welfare, and equality. The framework includes guidance on policy development, workplace adjustments, roles and responsibilities

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Publisher: Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) Department of Public Expenditure NDP Delivery
Country: Ireland
Year of publication: 2023

Region: Europe
Topics: Women’s psychological and physical health
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel School leaders Union representatives
Resource type: Downloadable file

This opinion article highlights the challenges faced by early childhood education (ECE) personnel, emphasizing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their employment conditions. It discusses the findings of the International Barometer of the Health and Wellbeing of Education Personnel (I-BEST), which reveal issues such as poor working conditions, low salaries, lack of professional recognition, and high levels of stress and job dissatisfaction among ECE workers.

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Publisher: Education International (EI)
Year of publication: 2023

Topics: Cross-cutting resource Mental health Physical health Violence and harassment Workload
Available in: English French Spanish, Castilian
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel
Level of education: Early childhood education
Resource type: Web page

The Teacher Wellbeing Index 2023 sheds light on the mounting mental health crisis within the UK education sector. Drawing on responses from over 3,000 education professionals, the report reveals widespread experiences of stress, burnout, and sleep disturbances, particularly among school leaders. Feelings of loneliness are alarmingly high, with education staff reporting twice the level of workplace loneliness compared to the general population. Confidence in the current inspection framework is critically low, with the majority viewing it as detrimental to mental health and lacking in credibility.

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Publisher: Education Support
Country: United Kingdom
Year of publication: 2023

Region: Europe
Topics: Cross-cutting resource Leadership Mental health Pandemics and epidemics 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

Ei-iE

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

Showing 177 Resources Filtered by:

The fundamental conventions on occupational safety and health

Risk and protective factors for non-communicable chronic diseases among primary education teachers

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

How do you stay upright?

Poor ventilation in your workplace? You can do this

Stress

Quality of life: A well-lived future in the present

Self-care assessment

Beyond burnout: A roadmap to improve educator well-being

Walking faculty back from the cliff

Put on your own oxygen mask first: Cultivating healing and wellbeing in ourselves - A five-part video series

Teacher workload: Executive summary of the INTO research report

Menopause in the workplace policy framework for civil service organisations

Early childhood educators: New data on the challenges they face raises the alarm about an education sector at risk

Teacher wellbeing index - 2023