Teacher Support Network has been quoted in a January edition of the Times Educational Supplement Scotland (TESS) on the causes of teachers' sickness absence.

The TESS article discussed the stressful effect that sickness can have on those in charge and those who are unwell and the positive steps that can be taken to ‘soften the blow'.

“In 2007 teachers in England took nearly 3 million days off sick, compared with 2.5 million in 1999. According to an analysis of the official figures by the Conservatives [in December 2008] this equates to almost 15,000 teachers being absent every day.

“Compared with other professions, teacher absence looks less astounding. The average public sector worker takes 9.8 days off a year, according to the 2008 annual survey from the Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development.”

Teacher Support Network Chief Executive Patrick Nash was quoted as saying: “Teachers actually compare favourably with other public sector jobs, they drag themselves in because they are committed to the young people they teach. They hang on until the weekend or half-term before they allow themselves to get properly ill.”

For the full article in the TESS, please click here.

If you would like further help and advice on sickness absence, please visit our InfoCentre where you will find the following factsheets:

• Return to work for managers
• How to develop a wellbeing policy
• Teacher's sick leave
• Mental health in the workplace