Lecturers’ stress levels on the rise according to UCU

Three quarters of staff say deadlines were unachievable causing academics to feel increasingly stressed

Photography: hwaterman (Flickr)

Research has suggested that heavy workloads and a lack of time are making academics more stressed on the job.

Around four-fifths (81%) of those working at UK universities found the job too stressful in 2010, according to a study by the University and College Union (UCU). This has increased from 74% in 2008.

This research comes amidst a series of demonstrations amongst senior academics against pension cuts.

The main reasons the research found for these increased stress levels was the lack of time lecturers had to conduct research, excessive workloads and unreasonable expectations from students and the institution itself.

It has also been suggested that the gap created by the gradual influx in students and the decline in the number of lecturers is to blame. The difference has been on the increase for the past ten years as UCAS applications reached their peak. However, application figures so far this year could close the gap.

Around 73% of university lecturers said that they were given unachievable deadlines on some occasions, while 89% said they end up neglecting some tasks because they have too much work to do.

Around two-thirds said they were unable to take enough breaks some of the time or on occasions the entire time, whilst just under a quarter said they were never pressured into working longer hours to meet demands.

UCU general secretary Sally Hunt stated that it was unacceptable that the majority of staff found their jobs stressful. “Universities are getting a reputation as stressful places to work and this report reveals that the problem is getting worse.

“As we enter uncertain and challenging times in higher education we need universities to start taking the problem seriously.

“We hope institutions will engage with the UCU…with a view to tackling the issues raised in the report”.

This problem could be averted by the decrease in the number of students applying under the new tuition fees; a rare positive to come out of the changes set for next year.