Details of injury compensation payouts to teachers in 2020 have been revealed, with the total more than double that of 2019.
They were awarded for a wide range of workplace injuries, including those caused by accidents, assaults or poor working environments.
The payments were secured by the EIS, Scotland’s largest union for teachers and lecturers, in a year when the union said the coronavirus pandemic has left teachers feeling “particularly vulnerable” in the workplace.
There has been almost £700,000 in compensation for EIS members injured at work in 2020, up from the 2019 figure of just over £290,000.
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EIS general secretary Larry Flanagan said: “It is never a welcome development to report on an increase in compensation payments received by our members. Whilst the sums involved do represent success for the EIS in pursuing appropriate compensation for injuries suffered at work, our clear preference would be to see these types of injuries eliminated entirely from our schools, colleges and universities.”
He added: “The most common cause of injuries remains ‘slips, trips and falls’. These types of incidents are entirely avoidable with correct adherence to appropriate health and safety procedures in the workplace. It is essential that the relevant employers take all possible precautions to ensure that all facilities are as safe as possible for staff and for students.”
Mr Flanagan added: “Many teaching professionals have felt particularly vulnerable in their places of work over the past year as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. All employers have a duty of care to provide a safe working environment for their employees in order to protect both their physical and mental health. Working in buildings that many teachers do not believe are Covid-secure, without sufficient safety mitigations in place, has had significant implications for the physical and mental wellbeing of many of our members.”
COMPENSATION AWARDS 2020
CLAIM
NATURE OF CLAIM
AWARD
Assault claim
Member was assaulted by pupil and sustained serious injuries as a result.
£200,000
Stress claim
Member suffered a high level of stress due to lack of support in the workplace.
£90,000
Assault claim
After an altercation with a pupil a member was assaulted causing injury and distress.
£75,000
Health claim
Member suffered ill-health as a result of the workplace environment.
£65,616
Stress/personal injury claim
Member suffering stress and anxiety as a result of their employment.
£60,000
Stress claim
Member suffering stress and anxiety as a result of their employment.
£60,000
Violence claim
After an altercation with a pupil a member was assaulted causing serious injury and distress.
£55,000
Health claim
Health claim as a result of workplace environment.
£25,000
Personal injury claim
Member suffering from prolonged continuous and progressive feelings of unfair treatment, bullying and harassment.
£20,000
Accident claim
After an altercation with a pupil a member was assaulted causing injury and distress.
£11,500
Assault claim
Member suffered stress and anxiety as a result of a sexual assault.
£10,000
Accident claim
Member fell on pathway coming from the temporary staff car park. Member suffered a broken bone in left hand.
£6,500
Assault claim
Member assaulted by a pupil who had a long history of violence. The member suffered injury and distress.
£5,000
Accident claim
Member fell in an untreated school park which resulted to an injury to the elbow.
£3,100
TOTAL AWARDS
£686,716
(Source: EIS)
