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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Topics: Safety
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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.

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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

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

INEE Minimum Standards - Standard 9: Protection and Wellbeing

Guides

The INEE Minimum Standards offer a compilation of guidances that emphasize the importance of creating safe, secure, and nurturing learning environments that support the psychosocial and physical wellbeing of learners, teachers, and education support personnel. It outlines key actions such as promoting positive classroom management, preventing school-related gender-based violence, ensuring safe school infrastructure, and training staff on protection mechanisms and referrals. The standard also highlights the role of community participation and risk reduction strategies in safeguarding education spaces, especially in insecure or crisis-affected areas.

Open resource in English
Publisher
Inter-agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE)
Year of publication
2024
Topics
Cross-cutting resource Mental health Safety Violence and harassment Women’s psychological and physical health
Available in
English
Categories of staff
Teachers Education support personnel School leaders
Resource type
Online ressource

Preventing and addressing violence and harassment in the world of work through occupational safety and health measures

Research

The report explores the global prevalence of workplace violence and harassment, affecting over one in five workers. It emphasizes the urgent need for integrated strategies, such as the ILO Violence and Harassment Convention (No. 190), national legal frameworks, and occupational safety and health protocols, to effectively combat these issues. The report also examines how evolving work conditions, including digitalization and blurred work-life boundaries, intensify these challenges, and highlights the role of collective bargaining and policy innovation in fostering safer, more respectful workplaces

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Publisher
International Labour Organization (ILO)
Year of publication
2024
Topics
Physical health Safety Violence and harassment
Available in
English French
Categories of staff
Teachers Education support personnel School leaders Union representatives
Resource type
Downloadable file

Key findings on climate change and occupational safety and health

Research

The video presents the main insights from the ILO report "Ensuring safety and health at work in a changing climate", highlighting how climate change, driven largely by human activities like fossil fuel use, is increasingly affecting workers' health and safety. The video emphasizes the urgent need for policies and practices that protect workers from climate-related risks such as extreme heat, air pollution, and natural disasters.

Open resource in English
Publisher
International Labour Organization (ILO)
Year of publication
2024
Topics
Climate change Physical health Safety
Available in
English French Spanish, Castilian
Categories of staff
Teachers Education support personnel School leaders Union representatives
Resource type
Video

Ensuring safety and health at work in a changing climate

Research

Climate change is already having serious impacts on the safety and health of workers in all regions of the world. Workers are among those most exposed to climate change hazards yet frequently have no choice but to continue working, even if conditions are dangerous. Global occupational safety and health protections have struggled to keep up with the evolving risks from climate change, resulting in worker mortality and morbidity. This report presents critical evidence related to the impacts of climate change on OSH, to bring attention to the global health threat workers are currently facing

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Publisher
International Labour Organization (ILO)
Year of publication
2024
Topics
Climate change Physical health Safety
Available in
English French
Categories of staff
Teachers Education support personnel School leaders Union representatives
Resource type
Downloadable file

Occupational well-being programme

Research

The report " Työhyvinvointi ohjelma" of the Finnish union OAJ outlines a strategy to improve the working conditions and overall well-being of professionals in the education sector. It emphasizes the importance of respectful treatment, sustainable work environments, and mental health support. The programme proposes legislative reforms, enhanced occupational safety, and better leadership practices to reduce work-related stress and prevent disability. It also promotes collaboration between employees, employers, and policymakers to ensure that educational professionals can thrive in their roles.

Download resource in Finnish
Publisher
Opetusalan Ammattijärjestö (OAJ)
Country
Finland
Year of publication
2023
Region
Europe
Topics
Peer relationships Safety Working conditions
Available in
Finnish
Categories of staff
Teachers Education support personnel School leaders Union representatives
Resource type
Downloadable file

Poor ventilation in your workplace? You can do this

Guides

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

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
Colombia Kenya Myanmar Palestine
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

Suicide and crisis lifeline 988: member support guide

Guides

The member support guide provides information about the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in the US, which offers 24/7 access to trained crisis counselors via call, text, or chat for individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts, substance use issues, mental health crises, or emotional distress. The guide explains how to determine whether a situation warrants contacting 988, what to expect during the call, and how to support someone in crisis while waiting for help. It also offers advice on post-crisis care and emphasizes the importance of seeking support for oneself after assisting someone through a crisis. It is important to note that this resource is context-specific and is intended as an example to inspire the development of similar tools in other contexts.

Download resource in English
Publisher
American Federation of Teachers (AFT)
Country
United States of America
Year of publication
2022
Region
North America and the Caribbean
Topics
Mental health Physical health Safety
Available in
English
Categories of staff
Teachers Education support personnel Union representatives
Resource type
Downloadable file

Refugee teachers in Lebanon: The challenges of managing professional expectations with personal experiences

Research

This article is part of a compilation of case studies that detail promising practices in teacher well‑being, teacher management, and school leadership.. This section discusses the challenges faced by refugee teachers in Lebanon as they balance professional expectations with their personal experiences. It highlights the dual role of these teachers who, while educating refugee students, also navigate their own difficult circumstances, including economic hardships, emotional stress, and uncertainty about the future. The study emphasizes the need for support systems that address both their professional and personal needs, suggesting that effective training, psychological support, and fair compensation are crucial for their well-being and effectiveness in their roles.

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Publisher
Inter-agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE) Harvard University
Country
Lebanon Syria
Year of publication
2022
Region
Arab Countries
Topics
Cross-cutting resource Peer relationships Resources and conditions Safety Workload
Available in
English French Spanish, Castilian Portuguese Arabic
Categories of staff
Teachers
Specific communities
Migrants and refugees
Resource type
Downloadable file

Coaching-observing-reflecting-engaging (CORE) for teachers: A well-being and support intervention for teachers

Research

This article is part of a compilation of case studies that detail promising practices in teacher well‑being, teacher management, and school leadership. The article describes an intervention aimed at supporting teachers' well-being and professional development through a holistic coaching model. The program, implemented in Colombia and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, focuses on three main areas: building teachers' social-emotional competencies, improving their well-being using mindfulness and acceptance techniques, and enhancing classroom management skills. The intervention includes continuous quality improvement-based coaching, where teachers receive individualized support and feedback

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Publisher
Inter-agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE) War Child Holland
Country
Colombia Palestine
Year of publication
2022
Region
Latin America Arab Countries
Topics
Cross-cutting resource Peer relationships Resources and conditions Safety Workload
Available in
English French Spanish, Castilian Portuguese Arabic
Categories of staff
Teachers
Specific communities
Migrants and refugees
Resource type
Downloadable file

In their words: Teacher well-being amidst displacement and fragility in Uganda and South Sudan

Research

This article is part of a compilation of case studies that detail promising practices in teacher well‑being, teacher management, and school leadership. This text explores the well-being of teachers in Uganda and South Sudan amidst displacement and fragility. It highlights the challenges faced by teachers, including the impact of displacement on their professional and personal lives. The study emphasizes the importance of teacher well-being for effective teaching and learning, noting that teachers often struggle with stress, lack of resources, and the need for professional development.

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Publisher
Inter-agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE) Teachers College Columbia University
Country
Uganda South Sudan
Year of publication
2022
Region
Africa
Topics
Cross-cutting resource Peer relationships Resources and conditions Safety Self-efficacy Workload
Available in
English French Spanish, Castilian Portuguese Arabic
Categories of staff
Teachers
Specific communities
Migrants and refugees
Resource type
Downloadable file

“Social emotional development for teachers”: An innovative program to improve teacher well-being in El Salvador

Research

This article is part of a compilation of case studies that detail promising practices in teacher well‑being, teacher management, and school leadership. The "Social Emotional Development for Teachers" program in El Salvador aims to enhance teacher well-being by addressing the significant social and emotional challenges they face, such as stress from gang violence and community insecurity. The program provides over 3,000 teachers with training in social-emotional learning strategies and mindfulness practices to help them manage their emotions and reduce stress. This initiative is designed to improve teachers' relationships with students, parents, and colleagues, ultimately enhancing their effectiveness in the classroom and contributing to a more positive educational environment.

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Publisher
Inter-agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE) FHI360
Country
El Salvador
Year of publication
2022
Region
Latin America
Topics
Mental health Physical health Resources and conditions Safety Social emotional skills
Available in
English French Spanish, Castilian Portuguese Arabic
Categories of staff
Teachers
Specific communities
Ethnic minorities
Resource type
Downloadable file