The NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union will launch a new series of
webinars, surveys and training events to support its women
members tomorrow.
The Union will hold its Women Teachers’ Consultation Conference
2020 on Saturday, focusing on the theme of “Women Teachers:
Leading in Crisis”.
NASUWT General Secretary Dr Patrick Roach said:
“Now is a pivotal time to look at what progress has been made to
secure equal rights for women, and how the NASUWT can help to
fight gender inequality in the future.
“Women teachers have been working on the frontline during the
coronavirus crisis and their voices must be heard.
“In the last few months, we have seen a resurgence of sex
discrimination in the workplace.
“We have heard of outrageous treatment of pregnant women teachers
who have faced escalated workplace discrimination during the
pandemic with school and college employers failing to have due
regard to their health and safety.
“That’s why we are saying that with the political intention to
keep schools open this autumn and winter and as we face a second
wave of Covid-19 transmission, pregnant women teachers,
especially those in the third trimester, should be entitled to
stay at home and work from home.
“The impact of the Government’s emergency measures and
restrictions, as well as its handling of the pandemic overall,
has also seen women teachers facing a disproportionate burden of
unpaid care during the crisis.
“The majority of teachers are women who have kept children’s
education going throughout this crisis, often trying to juggle
the demands of remote education with the demands of looking after
their own children and families.
“It is unacceptable that where a teacher’s child has been sent
home to self-isolate, some school employers are threatening
teachers with pay deductions or disciplinary action if they have
to stay at home to look after their children.
“The NASUWT will not hesitate to pursue any employer if they
discriminate against any member because of their sex or gender.”
Notes
The NASUWT surveys of members across the UK indicate that:
· women teachers may be experiencing more negative impacts from
the Covid-19 crisis than their male counterparts;
· women teachers are more likely to rate their current levels of
stress and anxiety around work as high or very high;
· women teachers are more likely to report that they have been
asked to routinely clean their desk, pupils’ tables and equipment
and other areas within their classroom.
