Gaby Hinsliff’s article about the Green MP Carla Denyer refers to “angry men on radio phone-ins asking why politicians can’t handle ‘a few emails’ without needing a lie-down when nurses and teachers just have to soldier on regardless” (The curse of burnout Britain affects politicians as much as everyone else: give Carla Denyer a break, 26 May).
I have useful insight into how teachers cope with burnout, because I was one of the many who couldn’t. The perception of teachers and nurses as boundlessly, selflessly resilient is a classic example of survivorship bias – you just don’t hear from those of us who fall short; we don’t stay teachers or nurses for long.
I gave up on a career in teaching after an episode of severe burnout in my 20s. I returned to scientific research and have since moved into trade union research, in roles and with employers who can and will accommodate some flexibility in my working patterns.
I have no regrets, but while I recognise the logistical challenges to flexible working in schools, 20 years’ experience in trade union problem-solving tells me that teaching jobs certainly could be better designed. They already would be if school leaders and politicians listened to those of us who leave.
Along with Hinsliff, I wish Denyer a swift recovery, and a safely and sympathetically managed return to work. I wish it for her sake, and also because parliament urgently needs more in-house experience and more respect for the workplace burnout crisis if it is to lead the improvements in employment policy and practice that will mitigate it.
Moreover, UK politics itself would benefit from dismantling its own “ideal worker” norms, which only impede access and the expression of diverse experience and insight in our national leadership.
Dr Jenny Andrew
Liverpool
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