TACKLING WORK RELATED STRESS THROUGH ACTION SHORT OF STRIKE ACTION.

Sarah LyonsPrincipal Officer

Pay, Conditions and BargainingNational Union of Teachers

HOW STRESSED ARE TEACHERS?

2014 NUT Workload Survey

- 90 % of respondents had considered leaving in the last 2 years.

- 96.5 % said workload has negative consequences for their family life.

- 81.5 % said there was no time for exercise/physical activity.

- 78.2 % of respondents said it was hard to keep in touch with friends.

TYPICAL QUOTES FROM OUR WORKLOAD SURVEY

‘I’m fed up seeing my colleagues near to breaking point and there isn't a week goes by where I don’t see someone crying.’

‘I love teaching but it is breaking me.’

‘I have no ‘me’ anymore and for the children I love to teach, this is devastating, I will not do this for life, I simply cannot.’

MORE QUOTES FROM OUR WORKLOAD SURVEY

‘Even if I stopped sleeping and eating I wouldn’t be able to get everything done. I love teaching but sadly working with the children seems to be the least important thing.’

‘I have no family life. I take Saturday off but otherwise work 7:30am till 6pm in school and another one to two hours in the evening. I work all day Sunday.’

WHAT THE KEY ‘STRESSORS’ FOR TEACHERS IN ENGLAND AND WALES?

Weekly working hours average 59.3 for primary, 55.6 for secondary

The accountability regime (Ofsted, marking requirements, lesson planning requirements, lesson observations)

ACTION SHORT OF STRIKE ACTION

What is Action Short of Strike Action? Why are we pursing this strategy? What have we instructed members to do? Is it working? Further challenges

WHAT IS ACTION SHORT OF STRIKE ACTION ABOUT?

Limited workload Refusing to participate in tasks which do not

support teaching and learning Ensuring that members receive their contractual

entitlements Reclaiming professionalism Resisting excessive accountability

WHAT ARE WE INSTRUCTING MEMBERS TO DO (OR NOT TO DO)?

Members should not submit lessons plans to members of the senior management team

Members should send and respond to work-related emails only during directed time

Members should refuse to cover for any absence

IS THE STRATEGY MAKING A DIFFERENCE?

Yes, there have been gains Lesson planning Performance Management/Appraisal

objectives Number of lesson observations Excessive numbers of meetings