A recent brief focused on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has brought attention to various challenges confronting faculty and staff in higher education institutions (HEIs) worldwide. The document, titled “Higher Education Institutions as Employers: Ensuring Decent Working Conditions,” outlines both longstanding and emerging issues related to job security and workplace environments.
Challenges in Higher Education
According to the brief, more than 14 million tertiary education teachers and numerous non-academic personnel are tasked with the responsibility of fostering decent and inclusive working conditions, in line with SDG Goal 8. However, several significant challenges persist, including long-term job insecurity, prevalent harassment, and policies that disrupt work-life balance.
Key Findings
Job Instability
An increasing number of HE staff are employed on temporary, part-time, or outsourced contracts, which undermines job security for both academic and non-academic personnel. This trend affects the appeal of academic careers and restricts academic freedom.
Insufficient and Unstable Salaries
Many employees, especially junior academics and subcontracted non-academic workers, experience low and unreliable wages. Positions with inadequate compensation or unpaid internships create substantial obstacles for career progression for individuals dependent on a consistent income.
Performance Pressures and Work-life Imbalances
Academic staff face ambiguous and frequently unrealistic performance expectations that result in extended working hours, contributing to mental health concerns. Additionally, there is a prevailing bias against individuals taking career breaks for parental responsibilities.
Hostile Work Environments
Discrimination, harassment, and gender-based violence continue to be prevalent issues in HEIs, exacerbated by ineffective reporting mechanisms and power disparities between secure and insecure employees.
Recommendations for Action
The brief proposes several actionable measures aimed at improving employment conditions, which include:
- Increasing institutional funding to facilitate stable work contracts.
- Implementing transparent regulations regarding contracts, salary structures, and recruitment processes.
- Ensuring that subcontracted workers have access to decent working conditions.
- Promoting policies that enhance mental health and work-life balance, including the provision of childcare services.
The full SDG Brief offers further insights into the challenges faced by higher education workers, including effective government policies and institutional practices. It is available for reading in both English and Spanish.
Source: International Institute for Higher Education Research and Capacity Building (IESALC).