Hike in teachers absences linked to workloads rise

STRESS caused by excessive workloads has been blamed for a near-25% rise in t eacher absences i n Dundee.

Larry Flanagan, general secretary of Scotland’s largest teaching union the EIS, said there is a “discernible trend” of rising absences among teaching staff across Scotland.

Figures obtained under Freedom of I nformation legislation lay bare the rising number of absences through ill health taken by teachers in Dundee schools.

In 2012-13, the city had 1,344 full-time equivalent teachers, who had 9,059 absences due to ill health between them.

By 2016-17, the number of teachers i n Dundee had actually fallen to 1,299 but teachers had 11,302 absences.

This is the equivalent of eight absences per teacher per 195-day school year.

Mr Flanagan said: “Perhaps surprisingly, teacher absence rates usually compare favourably with other local government groups but notwithstanding that, there has been a discernible trend of an increase in absence rates, often linked to stress and a lack of wellbeing.

“This is undoubtedly linked to the ongoing pressure of excessive workload.

“A recent EIS survey indicated that 86% of respondents noted that workload had increased in the past year.”

A Dundee City Council spokesman said: “We are working proactively on a health and wellbeing approach collaboratively with the trade unions as part of the council’s Our People Strategy.

“Our occupational health provider is assisting with a greater emphasis on early intervention supports for staff. All managers are focused on bringing absence figures down.”