Teachers' Views on Workplace Adversities: A South African Perspective

Phindiwe Old John,Letlhoyo Segalo

doi:10.13189/ujer.2021.090508

Abstract

This paper explored teachers' views on workplace adversities in one district of education in South Africa. Life is fraught with challenges and teachers are no exception. Teachers face various workplace challenges and some of these challenges may be the mundane occurrences of everyday life, while others may seem insurmountable. Each of these challenges requires teachers to adapt, rather than succumb to perceived adversity. The ability to adjust to challenging circumstances is essential for human development and teaching is no exception. For example, teaching profession demands that teachers continuously develop their skills and aptitude to changing workplace environment such as workplace adversities. Workplace adversity is understood to be the primary reason teachers fail to flourish in the workplace and eventually leave the teaching profession. The major elements of workplace adversity in teaching are negative and dissatisfactory working conditions, the work environment and the daily challenges faced by teachers during their work. An interpretive qualitative research method was undertaken. Participants in this study were nine teachers (5 women and 4 men) 100% black, age ranged from 26-43 years and were purposively recruited. Data was collected by means of a semi-structured interview and was analysed thematically using open codes. The findings of the study revealed that school teachers face workplace adversities, such as, poor management, sanitary problems, demands from parents and lack of collegiality.

Highlights

Introduction and BackgroundThe major elements of workplace adversity in teaching are negative and dissatisfactory working conditions
The themes that are discussed below are the views of teachers of their views on workplace adversities at their schools
This paper explored teacher workplace adversities which some are natural and cannot be avoided, while others could be avoided as they are human erring

Summary

Introduction

The major elements of workplace adversity in teaching are negative and dissatisfactory working conditions. Workplace adversities as experienced by teachers are not perceived in the same way from one country to the other, from poor renumeration to lack of safety, for example, some teachers may decide to leave the teaching profession because of job insecurity or poor remuneration [2]. Perceived low wages are a source of frustration in teaching and teachers feel that they are undervalued in their workplace [3][4]. Some teachers are exposed to physical violence at work, while others have experienced non-physical violence such as threats. There are many cases of bullying and physical harm caused to teachers at work [6]. [4] cites shortage of teachers, high rate of absenteeism and staff turnover as other contributing factor for workplace adversity

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Conclusion