Ei-iE

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

Caring for educators, caring for our communities

Welcome to the Education International hub dedicated to supporting the health and well-being of teachers and education support personnel (ESP) around the world. Developed in partnership with MGEN, this hub reflects our collective commitment to place education workers’ health and well-being at the centre of the global education agenda, as outlined in our 10th World Congress resolution “ Teacher and ESP well-being and mental health: vital for quality education”.

Whether you are looking for good practices, strategies, or inspiration, this hub is designed to empower unions and education communities to foster healthier, more supportive environments for teachers and education support personnel worldwide.

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Health and wellbeing policy: A model for teacher unions

Guides

This is a policy model of health and wellbeing that member organisations can use as a reference to elaborate their own policy instruments on these topics. It outlines the responsibilities of the Board of Governors and school leaders in promoting positive mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing among staff. It also emphasizes the importance of a supportive work environment, regular communication, and consultation with staff and unions. The policy model includes various procedures and policies on topícs such as stress management, attendance and absence management, and health and safety, aiming to create a healthy workplace culture.

Fit mind, fit Job: From evidence to practice in mental health and work

Research

This OECD report brings together insights from nine country studies and an earlier publication, "Sick on the Job?", to examine the intersection of mental health and employment. It highlights the widespread impact of mental ill-health on labour markets, including high rates of sickness absence, unemployment, and disability claims. The report emphasizes the urgent need for stronger, evidence-based policy responses to better support individuals with mental health conditions in the workplace, improve treatment access, and foster inclusive employment practices that promote both mental well-being and economic productivity

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

Guides

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.

Teachers’ health and its relationship with working conditions

Research

The document presents findings on how working conditions impact the health of private school teachers in Argentina. It reveals that a significant majority of educators experience fatigue, stress, headaches, and musculoskeletal pain, often without a clear cause beyond their demanding work environment. The report also highlights frequent illnesses such as vocal strain, respiratory issues, gastrointestinal problems, and sleep disturbances, linking them to the physical and emotional demands of teaching.

Overall workload of teaching staff

Research

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.

Time Inside and Outside the Workplace

Research

The document analyzes the real working conditions of private school teachers in Argentina. It highlights how educators’ actual work hours, both inside and outside the classroom, far exceed the legally recognized hours, with many tasks like planning, grading, and material preparation going unpaid and unacknowledged. It also examines the impact of commuting time and the concept of “double presence,” especially for women, who disproportionately bear the burden of combining professional duties with domestic responsibilities.

Guide for the prevention and intervention against violence toward education staff

Guides

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.

It’s time to invest in student & educator well-being

Toolkits

This page provides a comprehensive hub of resources aimed at promoting safe, supportive, and health-conscious learning environments for both students and educators. It addresses key issues such as mental health, gun violence prevention, infection control, and healthy buildings, offering practical tools and strategies to tackle the root causes of school safety challenges.

Teacher Wellness

Guides

The "Teacher Wellness" page by the Singapore Teachers’ Union (STU) is a dedicated initiative that supports educators' wellbeing by addressing both professional development and personal support. It features a series of talks, available for members of STU, tailored to different stages of a teacher’s career, such as understanding legal responsibilities, navigating probation, and preparing for promotions. The page also outlines the benefits of STU membership, including access to workshops, industrial relations support, and insurance schemes.

Social emotional learning training for teachers

Toolkits

The social emotional learning teachers (SEL) programme by UNESCO MGIEP is an online course designed to help educators integrate SEL into their professional practice. It equips teachers with practical tools to manage classrooms more effectively, reduce stress, and enhance their mental and emotional wellbeing. Grounded in neuroscience and pedagogy, the course promotes self-awareness, empathy, and emotional regulation, aiming to foster healthier learning environments and prevent teacher burnout.

Workplace concerns: Support and guidance for teachers

Guides

The STU’s guidance provides its members with essential support and resources for navigating workplace challenges in the education sector. It covers topics such as performance appraisals, school transfers, workplace safety, and legal responsibilities, and includes a grievance procedure flowchart with the affected member which unions can use as an example for their work. It also promotes proactive engagement through educational talks, which can be requested from the union, on legal obligations, disciplinary actions, and social media conduct, aiming to foster safer, fairer, and more informed working environments for teachers in Singapore.

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.

Checklist for workplace environment problems

Guides

"Checklista vid arbetsmiljöproblem": The guide from Sveriges Lärare provides a checklist for identifying and addressing workplace environment issues in educational settings. It covers various aspects such as physical conditions, psychosocial factors, and organizational aspects that can affect teachers' health and wellbeing. The checklist aims to help educators and school administrators systematically evaluate and improve their work environment to ensure a safe and supportive atmosphere for both staff and students.

Publisher
Swedish Teachers' Union (STU)
Country
Sweden
Region
Europe
Topics
Safety Working conditions
Available in
Swedish
Categories of staff
Teachers Education support personnel
Resource type
Web page

Questions and answers: Violence and threats of violence

Fact sheets

"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.