STRATEGIES ADOPTED BY TEACHERS AGAINST ILLEGITIMATE TASKS: A QUALITATIVE RESEARCH INVOLVING TURKISH EDUCATION SECTOR

Abstract

In this study, two dimensions of illegitimate tasks (ILT), unreasonable and unnecessary tasks,
were investigated by focusing on the teaching profession. The main purpose of the study is to
reveal to what extent the perceptions and experiences of ILT that exist in teaching profession.
Utilizing qualitative research method, data were collected from 28 teachers through semistructured interviews in Turkey. Thematic analysis was used to evaluate the interview data.
Results revealed that silence as an adaptative coping strategy in one category and solutionoriented strategic behavior in another category and confrontation as another coping strategy
are among the prominent coping responses to ILT in teaching profession. These strategies
adopted by teachers are adopted in line with the type of ILT demands in the workplace.