British Council Accused of Undermining Teachers’ Stability with Gig Economy Practices

Teachers on British Council’s English Online Platform Struggle with Uncertainty and Low Pay

The British Council is under scrutiny for allegedly exploiting agency teachers on zero-hour contracts, compelling them to compete for inconsistent and unstable work opportunities. According to an open letter from teaching staff, tutors on the English Online platform, which serves over 45,000 students globally, lack guaranteed working hours and must quickly secure class slots, often described as a "feeding frenzy." Teachers based in the UK, US, Canada, Australia, and India have raised concerns that technical difficulties or unavailability during slot releases can leave them without work entirely.

Following the pandemic, teachers who were previously employed directly by the British Council were shifted to agency contracts, a transition heavily criticized as part of the growing trend of the gig economy infiltrating professional education sectors. Adding to these concerns, unions have highlighted the increasing casualization of work in academia and other professional fields. In response, the government has introduced legislation aimed at banning exploitative zero-hour contracts, and the British Council’s practices are now expected to face questions in Parliament.

Currently, teachers on the English Online platform are employed by the Impellam Group rather than directly by the British Council. One teacher reported that after returning from maternity leave, she lost guaranteed working hours and went a full month without any income. She even compared her job’s instability to her partner’s entry-level bar work, which, despite requiring fewer qualifications, provided consistent and predictable pay.

Internal message boards reveal the chaotic nature of the weekly booking process, where teachers face fierce competition for a limited number of classes. This competitive system leaves some teachers with as few as one or two lessons per week, earning as little as £7.50 for a 30-minute private lesson. The process has been described as frantic and demoralizing, with one teacher resorting to late-night classes that left her fatigued and strained. Marina Goncharova, a former British Council teacher, shared that many teachers live in a constant state of insecurity, fearing the loss of their income and being unable to relax or take time off. Tom Liebewitz, lead organizer for the Tefl Workers’ Union, criticized the gig economy model, explaining that zero-hour contracts force teachers to continuously compete for work, making long-term planning impossible and creating significant stress.

In its defence, the British Council stated that its English Online platform provides flexibility, allowing teachers to choose their hours, albeit without a guaranteed minimum. They also clarified that teachers were informed during recruitment not to treat the platform as a primary source of income and emphasized their commitment to teachers' well-being and compliance with legal standards. Impellam, the recruitment agency, supported this stance, stating that it adheres to UK employment laws and is committed to fair treatment of workers. Meanwhile, the Foreign Office clarified that the British Council operates independently and assumes full responsibility for its employment policies. This issue reflects the broader challenges of balancing flexibility with job security in the gig-economy-driven education sector.

Editor's Note:

The British Council’s treatment of agency teachers raises serious concerns about the future of education in a world increasingly influenced by the gig economy. The use of zero-hour contracts for qualified professionals signals a troubling shift in how educational institutions treat their staff. Teachers are left in a difficult position, competing for limited class slots in a chaotic system that undermines their stability and well-being. While the British Council may argue that its platform offers "flexibility," this claim loses its value when teachers cannot rely on consistent hours or income. This uncertainty is particularly troubling in education, where the focus should be on fostering excellence, not forcing teachers to face financial instability and burnout. Though the British Council and Impellam Group say they comply with employment laws, the ethical concerns surrounding these practices must be addressed. Teachers deserve job security, respect, and recognition, not the stress of fighting for work or fearing income loss each week. Ignoring this issue weakens the foundation of education and erodes trust in institutions that are supposed to support their staff.

Skoobuzz emphasizes that it is time for education providers to prioritize their workforce over short-term financial goals, ensuring that those who teach are respected and supported.