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This guide serves as a practical tool for union delegates involved in occupational health and safety committees. It outlines the legal framework, roles, and responsibilities of delegates, and emphasizes the importance of active union participation in bipartite health and safety committees within educational institutions. The guide also includes relevant national decrees, strategies for improving workplace conditions, and resources to support the defense and promotion of workers' health rights.

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Publisher: Federación Nacional de Profesores de Enseñanza Secundaria (FENAPES) Comisión de Salud Laboral Área de Formación Sindical CEIFF
Country: Uruguay
Year of publication: 2023

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

The 2023 UNESCO IICBA study assesses the psychosocial impact of COVID-19 on teachers, teacher educators, and learners across selected sub-Saharan African countries. It highlights the growing recognition of mental health and well-being in education, emphasizing the interconnectedness between education, health, and psychosocial support. The study identifies key challenges faced by educators, ranks the severity of COVID-19’s negative effects, and explores innovative strategies adopted by governments. It also provides recommendations for building resilience, improving infection control, and enhancing psychosocial support systems, aiming to inform policy and advocacy efforts across Africa.

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Publisher: UNESCO IICBA
Year of publication: 2023

Region: Africa
Topics: Mental health Pandemics and epidemics
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel School leaders
Resource type: Downloadable file

This webinar explores systemic approaches and promising practices that strengthen mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) interventions for teachers in Africa, with the goal of improving learning outcomes. It presents key issues that teachers currently face which may impact their mental health and wellbeing, showcases evidence-based MHPSS interventions for educators, and identifies strategies for creating linkages with various stakeholders to support teachers. By highlighting the critical connection between teacher wellbeing and educational quality, the webinar promotes collaborative and informed responses across the education and mental health sectors.

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Publisher: UNESCO IICBA
Year of publication: 2023

Region: Africa
Topics: Mental health Pandemics and epidemics Physical health
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel School leaders
Resource type: Video

The overall goal of the webinar is to create an opportunity for education authorities, partners in education, school leaders, teachers, and teacher educators to explore and deliberate on the various strategies that can strengthen education sector interventions for teachers in crisis and emergency contexts through the sharing of best practices that have been implemented by the various partners in Africa. More specifically, the webinar will provide a platform to: (i) Deliberate on the persistent challenges and promising practices for teachers in crisis contexts and refugee settlements in the Horn of Africa; (ii) Share how best countries in Africa can improve and manage the well-being of Teachers in crisis and refugee settlements in Africa; (iii) Discuss strategies for promoting teachers' well-being, management, and school leadership in crisis settings; and (iv) Share innovations, resources, and best practices that have worked around teachers' management, motivations, and data systems and their linkages with the national overall programming of teachers.

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Publisher: UNESCO IICBA
Year of publication: 2023

Region: Africa
Topics: Leadership Resources and conditions Safety
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers School leaders
Resource type: Video

This document outlines a study conducted by UNESCO IICBA on the state of teacher professionalism in West Africa, focusing on professional standards, teacher education, and working conditions. It emphasizes the urgent need for countries to adopt and implement professional standards and competencies for teachers and school leaders. It highlights how inadequate professional support, poor working conditions, and lack of career development opportunities negatively impact teacher motivation, job satisfaction, and retention. Detailed case studies for Sierra Leone and The Gambia illustrate country-specific progress and challenges. The study highlights that while some countries like Sierra Leone and Nigeria have aligned with international frameworks, most are still in early stages, lacking formal regulations, national standards, and professional teaching councils. Teacher education remains weak, with many teachers insufficiently qualified, and continuous professional development is underutilized.

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Publisher: UNESCO IICBA
Country: Sierra Leone Gambia
Year of publication: 2023

Region: Africa
Topics: Salaries and remuneration Working conditions
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers School leaders
Resource type: Downloadable file

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.

Download resource in Dutch

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.

Open resource in Portuguese

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.

Download resource in English

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

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Showing All 194 Resources

Guide for the union representative on occupational health and safety committees

Assessment of the psychosocial impact of COVID-19 on teachers, teacher educators and learners and psychosocial support needs in selected Sub-Saharan African countries

Mental health: A great investment for teachers in Africa?

Teachers in crisis and emergency contexts: Challenges and promising practices in Africa

West Africa – Investing in Teachers and School Leaders: Professional Standards, Working Conditions, and Teacher Education

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