health
Not all teachers will soldier on regardless
The perception of teachers and nurses as boundlessly, selflessly resilient is a classic example of survivorship bias, says Dr Jenny Andrew
TL;DR
- The idea that teachers and nurses are boundlessly resilient is a classic example of survivorship bias.
- Individuals who cannot cope with burnout often leave these professions and are therefore not heard.
- The author experienced severe burnout as a teacher and transitioned to trade union research.
- Teaching jobs could be better designed if school leaders and politicians listened to those who leave the profession.
- Parliament needs more in-house experience and respect for the workplace burnout crisis to improve employment policy.
- UK politics would benefit from dismantling "ideal worker" norms to allow for diverse experience and insight in leadership.