Stress-related sickness soars amongst East Riding Teachers

There were 106 teachers in the east Riding on long-term stress leave in 2016/17, up 39% on the previous year. The number of local teachers on long-term stress leave has become a serious issue. In total 5156 days have been taken off by local teachers in the East Riding for stress and mental health reasons, an increase of 33% over the previous year.

The figures are based on responses to Freedom of Information requests by the Liberal Democrats. 

Cllr Denis Healy commented:

"It's simply unacceptable that those working tirelessly to do the best for our children are seeing their mental health affected as a result. This must be a wake-up call to East Riding Councillors. Stress and anxiety are fuelling the teacher retention and recruitment crises, but the government's current approach is making matters worse. East Riding of Yorkshire Council must work to end the real-term cuts to pay for teachers that are leaving them feeling overworked and undervalued. I will be raising this as a motion for discussion at the Full Council meeting next Wednesday. I want the Council to show our teachers how much we value what they do and raise our concerns about the pressures they are under with the Secretary of State."