Public Policies on Employment and Labor Welfare: A View from the University Teaching Role

Abstract

Higher education revolves around a dynamic environment where public employment policies and the well-being of university professors play a crucial role in the construction of a prosperous and sustainable academic environment. The research identified the relationship between public employment policies and labor well-being in university professors, through a quantitative approach, descriptive-correlational scope and cross-sectional section. The results showed that better employment policies are associated with an increase in teachers' well-being at work, suggesting that properly designed policies could significantly enhance their general well-being. It was evident that the modality of contract and job stability are critical factors that affect job security and the psychosocial well-being of teachers. Despite the fact that high psychosocial well-being was reported, teachers experience collateral effects such as somatization and alienation, which evidenced the presence of psychosocial risks in the work environment. The importance of comprehensive and effective employment policies, as well as institutional support to improve the quality of teachers' working life, is concluded. The implementation of preventive programs for psychosocial risks, strategies to promote well-being and teacher participation in the continuous improvement of employment policies is recommended. These measures will not only benefit teachers, but will also have a positive impact on the quality of education and, consequently, on society.