We are calling time on unreasonable expectations and excessive workload for teachers

Our members have told us its Time for a Limit on excessive workload, unreasonable expectations and the increasing number of hours it takes to fulfil their role.

Despite their best efforts to keep up with an ever-increasing workload, 69% of teachers told us they feel too worn down to give their job their best effort.

Our Big Question and Wellbeing Surveys carried out in 2022 found that teachers ranked workload as the top issue that most impacted both their physical and mental health.

1 of 5Time for a Limit - 81% of teachers said their job had adversely impacted their mental health
Governments and employers have consistently failed to deliver on tackling workload and working hours.

• It’s Time for a Limit on the drivers of excessive working hours.
• Teachers are working more for less - pay is stagnating while working hours are unlimited.
• Unlike other professions, teachers have no contractual entitlement to any paid overtime.
• More than 72% of teachers have seriously considered leaving their current job and 65% say they have seriously considered leaving the teaching profession altogether.

Long working hours and excessive workloads are driven by a recruitment and retention crisis caused by more than a decade of Government cuts and underfunding of schools, colleges and children’s services.

As part of a Better Deal for Teachers, our members are demanding a new commitment to end excessive workload once and for all.

Next steps
After Easter, we will be rolling out new guidance on action our members can take to ‘Work to Contract’. This will include:

• not undertaking work-related tasks or activities on weekends and bank holidays;
• refusing to attend meetings outside your contracted hours;
• ensuring you are able to take proper breaks;
• not undertaking tasks that do not call for the exercise of your professional skills and judgement;
• only undertaking leadership/management responsibilities where time has been allocated for this purpose.

By working together, we can address your concerns over workload by securing tangible wins in the workplace, building union strength, and supporting our campaigns with governments to reform teachers’ contracts.