1. 4th ETUI seminar on ‘Psychosocial risks at work’
24th May 2017
Eduardo Nadal – Programme Officer
ETUCE – European Trade Union Committee for Education

2. ETUCE in Numbers 131 education trade unions in Europe
11 million teacher and education employees (early childhood, primary schools, secondary schools, higher education and research, vocational training and professional development)
Founded in 1975
1 of 5 regions of Education International
ETUCE in Numbers

3. Background of the Organisation
European Region of Education International
European Trade Union Federation for the education sector
European Social Partner in Education on EU level
Member of the education working groups in the European Commission

4. ETUCE- Who we are

5. EU-funded project on “Social Partners Promoting Decent Workplaces in the Education Sector for a Healthier Working Life” ( )
Joint ETUCE/EFEE project within the ESSDE work-programme.
Identify concrete and practical ways to prevent psychosocial hazards in the Education sector.

6. I. Project Activities: Online survey
On-line survey among ETUCE/EFEE member organisations (55) to collect relevant OSH data (prevention of psychosocial risks and work-related stress).
Initiatives/actions of highest rate of success:
-Organisation of health and safety in Education institutions (60%);
-Tackling bullying and harassment among students (57%);
-Higher education of leadership and feedback (55%);
-More opportunities for professional development (51%);
-Sufficient financial resources (37%);
-Cooperation between social partners (27%);
-Allocation of sufficient time (25%).

7. II. Project Activities: 4 case-studies: BE (25), GER (19), RO (25) and FI (16).
Total of 85 respondents: teachers, TU, education employers,
BE: Recruitment conditions/Job insecurity Mentoring programmes and empowerment of new teachers.
GER: No sufficient time to teach/work-life balance Training on stress-management, regional funding and shift in the teacher’s role.
RO: High workload/Low salaries Recruitment of more teachers, participative working-teams and peer-learning to new teachers.
FI: Quantitative and emotional demands/expectations Mass training programmes for the use of ICT tools and local school sharing on work organisation and innovation.

8. III. Project Activities and Follow-up: Seminars and conference
2 training seminars in Madrid and London on 12/ /2016:
-Initial results: Joint social partnership
-Exchange of good practices
-Final conference: 06/2016, Bucharest:
-Supported by EU-OSHA
Joint Practical Guidelines on “How to Promote Joint Social Partner Initiatives at European, National/Regional and Local Level on Preventing and Combatting Psychosocial Hazards in Education”.
Joint ETUCE/EFEE Declaration on “Preventing and Combating Psychosocial Hazards in the Education Sector” (November 2016)
III. Project Activities and Follow-up:
Seminars and conference

9. V. “How to Promote Joint Social Partner Initiatives at EU Level
to Prevent and Combat Psychosocial Hazards in Education”
Encourage social partner organisations in education at national, regional and local level to pro-actively engage in preventing and tackling the issues of psychosocial hazards in social dialogue and collective agreements.
Tackle the stigma of psychosocial hazards and work-related stress.
Recognise, in the context of longer working lives, the need for a ‘whole life approach’.
Promote the inclusion of the prevention of psychosocial hazards in initial teacher training and in continuous professional development both for school leaders and education staff.
Continue advocating the implementation of the Strategic Framework for OSH at national level in the education sector.
Strengthen European collaboration and the cooperation of social partners on OSH in schools.

10. VI. “How to Promote Joint Social Partner Initiatives at National Level to Prevent and Combat Psychosocial Hazards in Education”
Encourage and promote regular risk assessments as required by national law which address staff health and wellbeing at the workplace with a view to identifying the real needs of education staff.
Promote a positive work culture both regarding reasonable expectations within the education system and education institutions.
With a view to increasing the attractiveness of the teaching profession, establish clear guidelines on curriculum, teacher training and well- being that are embedded in a comprehensive strategy for the recruitment and retention of education staff.
Ensure that labour inspections/national OSH agencies include the prevention of psychosocial hazards.
Focus on the process of achieving healthy and safe workplaces through joint social partnership actions.

11. VII.“How to Promote Joint Social Partner Initiatives at Local Level to Prevent and Combat Psychosocial Hazards in Education”
Carry out risk assessments as required by law at regular intervals for each workplace that include psycho-social risks.
Encourage the development of a code of conduct for and with the whole school community.
Promote an open-minded, positive, trustful, fair and team spirit culture among colleagues that allows signs of work-related stress and psychosocial hazards to be recognised and acknowledged at an early stage.
Take account of the physical state of the education institution’s building, as well as the circumstances of the community which it serves, when considering steps to tackle stress.
Establish close cooperation with school trade union representatives/health and safety representatives.
Develop a pedagogical reference guide for the prevention of PSR

12. VIII. Relevant ETUCE’s recommendations
Joint ETUCE/EFEE Declaration on Preventing and Combating Psychosocial Hazards in the Education Sector (November 2016)
1) “Encourage national, regional and local activities, measures and actions that raise awareness on the importance of the provision of decent working conditions and safe and healthy working environments for the quality of education and wellbeing of education staff”.
2) “Discuss and reflect upon decent working conditions and workplaces and the prevention of psychosocial hazards, such as work related stress, in social dialogue and collective agreements”.
3) “Identify and apply for appropriate European, national and regional funding opportunities to sustainably support the work in this field at education institution level”.
4) “Explore the possibilities of jointly developing an online risk assessment tool for the education sector with the support of the European Agency for Occupational Safety and Health”. .

13. Thank you for your attention!
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