AFT Releases Results of Groundbreaking Workplace Survey of Educators
WASHINGTON—Today, the American Federation of Teachers released the results of a survey on well-being, working conditions and stressors for teachers and school support staff across the country. The first of its kind, the 80-question survey was filled out by more than 30,000 educators.
After concerns of stress on the job were reported to the Badass Teachers Association, the survey was designed by a group of teachers who are members of the AFT or BATs, and it was reviewed and refined by a workplace stress expert and a professional pollster. Circulated via email and social media, the survey was posted online on April 21 and closed on May 1.
Among respondents, the survey found that:
- Only 1 in 5 educators feel respected by government officials or the media.
- Fourteen percent strongly agree with the statement that they trust their administrator or supervisor.
- More than 75 percent say they do not have enough staff to get the work done.
- Seventy-eight percent say they are often physically and emotionally exhausted at the end of the day. Eighty-seven percent say the demands of their job are at least sometimes interfering with their family life.
- Among the greatest workplace stressors were the adoption of new initiatives without proper training or professional development, mandated curriculum and standardized tests.
The survey shows the need for a scientific study. In the coming days, the AFT and BATs will call on the Department of Education to conduct such a study.
