For teachers, the pressure to take calls and respond to emails and text messages at all hours is blurring already-indistinct boundaries between work and home, promoting an unsustainable “always on” mentality, new research reveals.
Without new policies defending teachers’ fundamental right to disconnect after school hours, rising job dissatisfaction and deteriorating mental and physical health are real risks.
So what should be under consideration for schools?
⏰ Lead by example: To help educators reclaim their free time, consider establishing and enforcing guidelines that encourage school leaders to avoid sending emails after work hours—except for emergencies.
🔑 Give permission to disconnect: Leaders can empower teachers by providing explicit permission to disconnect from work-related communications outside of school hours. Disseminating this policy to all stakeholders and ensuring it is honored is key.
📝 Survey your staff: Conduct work-life balance surveys with questi...
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