WORK AND USE OF FREE TIME/LEISURE FOR TEACHERS IN SARANDI, PARANÁ: FROM COMPENSATION TO CONFORMITY

Abstract

This study examined determinations of teachers’ work at municipal schools in Sarandi, Paraná, Brazil, focused on their free time/leisure practices. This type of work has become increasingly precarious and intense, resulting in needs both in terms of these workers’ health care and in compensatory activities using free time/leisure. Through semi-structured interviews, we found that teachers work long shifts while earning increasingly low wages and losing established rights, but they also face challenges in schools’ physical and pedagogical structure. These aspects have a strong influence on their level of health and their choices and possibilities for occupying their free time/leisure. Their time is controlled, tight and restricted in their emancipatory possibilities both at work and during time off.

Keywords:
School teachers; Occupational groups; Occupational health; Leisure activities