We surveyed teachers around the world for our 2026 Global Wellbeing Report, and we found that 59% of teachers around the world find their workload unmanageable. When we asked what schools could do to improve wellbeing, a better work-life balance was the most common response. 

This blog explores the impacts of teacher workload for staff members and schools as a whole, and what school leaders can do to help.  

What are the effects of teacher workload? 

If most of the teachers we surveyed said their workload was unmanageable, what does this mean for teachers and schools? 

Wellbeing 

Overwhelming workloads have an inevitable impact on teachers’ mental health and wellbeing. Of the teachers we surveyed, 73% said their workload is their leading cause of stress.

A teacher’s wellbeing is key regardless of work, in enabling them to better manage and cope with the challenges of everyday life – and to generally be happier and healthier. 

The wellbeing of your teachers also impacts the experience and outcomes of the students they teach; better wellbeing increases retention and resilience, supporting stronger relationships between teachers and their students.

Working hoursÌý

AÌýheavy workloadÌýoftenÌýleadsÌýteachersÌýto workÌýoutside ofÌýtheirÌýcontracted hours.ÌýOurÌýreport found:Ìý

• 63% of teachers work at least 6Ìý²¹»å»å¾±³Ù¾±´Ç²Ô²¹±ôÌý³ó´Ç³Ü°ù²õ every weekÌý

• 38%Ìýof teachersÌýwork at leastÌý9Ìý²¹»å»å¾±³Ù¾±´Ç²Ô²¹±ôÌý³ó´Ç³Ü°ù²õÌý±ð±¹±ð°ù²âÌý·É±ð±ð°ìÌý

• °¿²Ô±ô²âÌý4% of teachers work within their contracted hoursÌý

Most of these extra hours are spent lesson planning,ÌýmarkingÌýandÌýon administrative tasks.Ìý

Working extra hoursÌýoften comes at a cost to a teacher’s mental health and wellbeing byÌýgiving teachers lessÌýtimeÌýaway fromÌýwork,ÌýincreasingÌýthe risk of burnout.Ìý

Teachers leaving the professionÌý

The stress caused by unmanageable workloads could have big implications for schools. Our report found thatÌýalmostÌýhalfÌýof respondents do not plan to stay in teachingÌýlong-termÌý– and workload was amongst the top reasonsÌýfor wanting to leaveÌýthe profession.Ìý

This will only further contribute to existing issues of teacher shortages – and in turn, will put more pressure onÌýremainingÌýteachers, potentially increasing their workloads even more.Ìý

How can school leaders help teachers manage their workload?Ìý

The data showsÌýthat currentÌýteacher workloads areÌýnot sustainable – and with the potentialÌýofÌýimpacting teacher retention,Ìýit’sÌýessential thatÌýas a school leader, youÌýfind ways toÌýsupport teachers to manage their workloads.Ìý

Simplify processesÌý

Our report found frustration at the amount of time teachers spend on admin. Ensuring your administrative processes areÌýas straightforward as possible meansÌýyour staff can spend less time on paperwork, lessening their workload and in turn reducing stress.Ìý

Many teachers we surveyed highlighted the fact that paperwork demands are increasinglyÌýcaused by the needÌýto report on student behaviour.

Reconsider your habits 

Teachers we surveyed also expressed frustration at attending meetings that feel unnecessary and take up valuable time. As a leader, it’s important you reconsider the things that have become habits – you might be used to having a reoccurring meeting, but is it the best use of time? 

It may be useful to consider: 

• Whether a meeting is necessary or if information be shared differently  

• If your agenda is firm enough and how often your meetings run over 

• Alternative ways for staff to ask questions, such as with an online form with responses shared via email or intranet – this saves valuable time for all staff members, as questions and answers aren’t likely to be relevant to everyone 

Understand what teachers need 

To support teachers to manage their workload, you need to understand the problems they’re facing. Undertaking wellbeing surveys shows staff you value them and want to listen, as well as helping you understand what support they need. 

This can also be useful in ensuring you get the most out of the staff you have, which is especially important where support staff and resources are limited. 

Surveys give teachers a chance to share where they lack support and where they don’t need it, which can give you a better understanding of where specific resources or support staff may be most useful. 

Repeating surveys over time enables you to measure progress and identify changing needs over time.

The state of teacher wellbeing in 2026Ìý

Our 2026 Wellbeing Report isÌýbased onÌýdata from overÌý2,800 educators across the world. It provides a picture of teacher wellbeing amongst current challenges, highlighting where schools are doing well and where change is needed.Ìý

It'sÌýkeyÌýfor allÌýof usÌýto support teachersÌý–ÌýandÌýthat starts with understanding whatÌýthey’reÌýfacing.Ìý

Read the report

This blog article is based on data from a global teacher wellbeing survey 91¶¶Òõ conducted in December 2025.