School Support Staff Are Burning Out: Leaves of Absences Due to Illness, Disability, and Workplace Accidents Are Skyrocketing

The latest data obtained from the Ministry of Education (MEQ) reveal a worrying decline in the health of school support staff. Over a five-year period, absences linked to workplace accidents recognized by the CNESST, sick leave, and disability have seen a marked increase, highlighting high-pressure work environments and an increasingly vulnerable workforce.

Between 2020–2021 and 2024–2025, the number of individuals taking leaves recognized by the CNESST rose from 2,580 to 4,095—an increase of 58.7%. Even more concerning is the fact that the total number of days of absence associated with these cases climbed from 76,285 to 152,022, representing a rise of nearly 100% in just five (5) years.

We see the same trend with regard to sick leaves. The number of affected employees rose from 37,646 to 52,251—an increase of nearly 39%—while the number of days of absence surged from 135,666 to 252,591, an increase of 86.2%.

Long-term disability cases are also showing a worrying upward trend. The number of individuals on disability leave rose from 6,939 to 8,988—an increase of 29.5%—while the number of days of absence climbed from 381,963 to 529,548, a rise of 38.6%.

“Behind these figures are thousands of workers who proved support for Quebec students every day. What the data tells us is that school support staff are at their breaking point,” states Éric Pronovost, President of the Fédération du personnel de soutien scolaire (FPSS-CSQ). “When workplace accidents practically double and disability cases continue to rise year after year, it is a serious problem that demands immediate action.”

The FPSS-CSQ notes that these data align with concerns raised for years by school support staff regarding excessive workloads, rising violence in schools, staffing shortages, and the difficulty of covering absences. These factors contribute to deteriorating working conditions and exacerbate physical and mental health issues among staff.

With the education system already facing significant recruitment and retention challenges, this increase in absences threatens to further worsen staff shortages and compromise services for students.

“We cannot keep demanding more from staff who are already exhausted. We must invest in prevention, improve working conditions, reduce workloads, and implement concrete measures to ensure healthy and safe work environments,” adds Mr. Pronovost.

The FPSS-CSQ calls on the government and education sector employers to acknowledge the scale of the problem and take swift action to halt the decline in occupational health that is severely affecting school support staff.

Key figures (2020–2021 to 2024–2025)

CNESST:

• +58.7% in individuals on work leave (2,580 to 4,095);
• +99.3% in days of absence (76,285 to 152,022).

Sick leave:

• +38.8% in the number of individuals affected (37,646 to 52,251);
• +86.2% in days of absence (135,666 to 252,591).

Disability (salary insurance):

• +29.5% in the number of individuals affected (6,939 to 8,988);
• +38.6% in the number of days of absence (381,963 to 529,548).