Italy🏛️ PoliticsCenter9/3/2026

Teachers under stress to return: Burn-out explains in the new Treccani column

The month of August, with the end of summer holidays and the approaching reopening of schools, is the most feared time for Italian teachers. The return to school risks spoiling their vacations, causing anxiety, stress, and signs of burnout, as explained by the Treccani portal in a new feature curated by linguist Beatrice Cristalli. Burnout, defined as a state of emotional and psychological stress that can lead to a form of 'total combustion,' was officially recognized as a syndrome by the World Health Organization in 2019. According to a recent report by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, nearly half of secondary school teachers experience work-related stress, with many reporting negative impacts on both mental and physical health. In Italy, this situation is worsened by multiple demands placed on teachers, including managing student conflicts, dealing with increasingly demanding relationships with parents and colleagues, increased bureaucratic tasks, and communications extending beyond working hours. Low salaries and a lack of social recognition further contribute to these challenges, highlighting a broader contradiction in the cultural perception of work, where牺牲（

Teachers under Stress from Return to School: 'Burnout' Explained in New Treccani Feature The month of August, marked by the end of holidays and the imminent reopening of schools, has become the most feared time for Italian teachers. The thought of returning to class threatens to spoil their vacations for many educators, reigniting anxiety, stress, and signs of burnout, according to a new feature on Treccani.it titled “Burnout,” written by linguist Beatrice Cristalli. The entry is part of “L’alfabeto del lavoro. Parole e cose in trasformazione,” a new series curated by Cristalli for Treccani. It serves as a “lemmario del presente”, a lexicon of current terms, exploring words and expressions that reflect the aspirations and struggles of an era in which work constantly interrogates itself. From ageism to burnout, from career to resignation, from balance to freelancing, up to gender gap, hustle culture, hyperconnectivity, limits, motivation, digital nomadism, this series traces the transformation of the relationship between individual and organization through the language we use to describe work experiences. Burnout, defined as a state of psychological and emotional stress that can lead to a kind of “total combustion” of the person, was introduced into medical and psychological vocabulary in the 1970s thanks to the research of psychoanalyst Herbert J. Freudenberger and psychologist Christina Maslach. It was officially recognized as a syndrome by the World Health Organization in 2019. In Latin, labor means fatigue and suffering, notes the entry. “The risk is that exhaustion is considered almost as proof of total dedication to work, rather than as a signal of chronic stress inadequately managed.” According to data cited in the Treccani feature, nearly half of secondary school teachers experience stress at work. A further 24 percent say their profession negatively affects their mental health, while 22 percent report similar effects on their physical well-being, based on a recent study by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work. In Italy, these figures are exacerbated by the multiple demands placed upon teachers, ranging from managing conflicts among students to increasingly complex relationships with parents and colleagues, along with rising bureaucratic requirements and messages and communications that extend beyond regular working hours. Compounding these challenges are low salaries, which remain among the lowest in Europe, and a general lack of social recognition for the teaching profession. The difficulties faced by teachers highlight a broader cultural contradiction within the Italian approach to work, where sacrifice continues to be viewed as a virtue. The situation reflects a growing awareness of the psychological toll of the teaching profession, particularly during the transition back to school after summer break. As the academic year approaches, many educators find themselves caught between the expectations of their role and the personal costs of fulfilling them. This tension underscores the need for greater support systems, both institutional and societal, to address the mental and physical well-being of those who dedicate their lives to education. The ongoing discussion around burnout and teacher stress signals a shift in public discourse toward recognizing the human cost of demanding professions. While the focus remains on the immediate concerns of educators, the broader implications for workplace culture and policy continue to unfold.

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Source documentJournal of Applied Psychology
studyFrontiers in Digital Health

2 reports

ANSAIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 788/29/2026

Teachers under stress to return: Burn-out explains in the new Treccani column

Bias read (Center): The article discusses teacher stress and burnout in the context of educational policies and societal attitudes toward work, but presents factual information without overt ideological framing. It cites data from the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work and references the World Health Organiz

Why factuality (85): The article provides accurate information about burnout as defined by medical and psychological research, citing Herbert J. Freudenberger and Christina Maslach, and references the World Health Organization's recognition in 2019. It also mentions the new Treccani rubrica and discusses the cultural an

Why objectivity (78): The article presents the topic in an informative and educational tone, focusing on explaining the concept of burnout and its relevance to teachers. While it does not take a political or ideological stance, it uses emotionally charged language such as 'stress,' 'burn-out,' and 'combustione totale,' w

OpenIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 709/3/2026

I go back to work, it's just three days before the benefits of vacation start to wear off.

Scientific research indicates that the psychological and physical recovery gained during vacations begins to diminish quickly after returning to work. Studies show that within three days of resuming work, levels of occupational stress and burnout start to rise again, reaching pre-vacation levels within three weeks. This phenomenon, known as the 'vacation fade-out effect,' suggests that the benefits of vacation are temporary. Research published in the Journal of Applied Psychology tracked workers before, during, and after their holidays, revealing that while burnout decreased during the break, it rapidly returned upon re-entering the workplace. A new study from Frontiers in Digital Health highlights the role of rumination, repetitive negative thinking, in this process, suggesting that mental patterns formed during work can undermine the positive effects of time off.

Bias read (Center): The article discusses health-related findings about the psychological effects of returning to work after vacation, using academic studies as sources. It presents factual data without taking a stance on any political issue, making it apolitical in nature.

Why factuality (85): The article references a study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology, which aligns with the primary source document’s focus on psychological recovery during vacations. However, the study described in the article is not present in the provided primary source document, which is about digital

Why objectivity (70): The article presents findings in a somewhat sensationalized manner, using phrases like 'bastano 3 giorni' (just three days) to emphasize the quick fading of vacation benefits. While it discusses potential ways to maintain well-being, such as exercise and music, it does not provide a balanced view of

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Teachers under stress to return: Burn-out explains in the new Treccani column

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