Dr. Eusebio Rial González Head of the European Risk Observatory European developments on psychosocial risks at work: An overview Rome, 5 November 2008

Overview  The European Agency and its European Risk Observatory  Work-related stress as an emerging risk broad consensus EU-27  It’s going to get worse: “changing world of work”  Future trends: challenges for OSH  What do we do next?

Aim of the Agency  “In order to improve the working environment, (…) the aim of the Agency shall be to provide (…) technical, scientific and economic information of use in the field of safety and health at work.”  Tripartite Governing Board, with all 27 Member States represented + EC

European Agency for Safety and Health at Work

A network agency: Focal Points EU Focal Points EEA/EFTA Focal Points Candidate & Potential Candidate Countries Eurofound Eurostat

Global network of the Agency IOSH European Agency Partner International Organisations Partner countries Under discussion BRAZIL AUSTRALIA CANADA USA PAHO AGENCY ICOH IOHA UEMS ILO ISSA RUSSIA KOREA JAPAN IOSH

1936 Psychosocial issues: “new” risks…?

European Risk Observatory: “New and emerging risks” “New” if:  A completely new risk, or  A long-standing issue newly considered a risk due to a change in public perception, or  New scientific knowledge leads a long-standing issue to be identified as a risk

“Emerging” if…  The number of hazards leading to potential harm is growing, or  There is a higher likelihood of exposure to those hazards, or  The harm caused is worsening (in severity, or in numbers affected) European Risk Observatory: “New and emerging risks”

Growing importance of psychosocial risks  Community strategy for OSH ( ): “The increase in psycho-social problems and illnesses is posing a new challenge to health and safety at work (…). The various forms of psychological harassment and violence at work likewise pose a special problem nowadays”  Renewed attention in strategy: “At the present time, problems associated with poor mental health constitute the fourth most frequent cause of incapacity for work. The WHO estimates that depression will be the main cause of incapacity by The workplace can be an appropriate place in which to prevent psychological problems and promote better mental health.”

Stress: a top OSH priority  Consistently identified as one of the 2-3 top priorities by all MS  The ‘changing world of work’ is likely to lead to increased exposure to psychosocial hazards, and therefore to increasing occupational and work-related diseases

Preparing for a changing world of work  Changes in society and workplaces that affect occupational safety and health, e.g.: Rapid technological developments Globalisation  But it’s not just the workplace that is changing:

Adapting to a changing workforce  Europe’s ageing workforce 30% of the EU27 population to be aged 65 or more in 2060 compared to 17% in 2008  Women in the workforce Traditionally overlooked and under-researched working population; focus on accidents (vs. diseases)  in-built gender bias  Migrant workers Account for nearly 80% of population growth Concentrated in high-risk sectors Over-represented in hazardous jobs

Natural change and net migration plus adjustments in the EU-27 EUROSTAT 2008

Population pyramids EU and 2060 (EUROSTAT 2008)

Natural change and net migration, EU EUROSTAT 2008

Employment trends in the main subsections of EU-27 Services and Industry, 1998 to 2007 EUROSTAT, STS 2008

Trends: then and now

Emerging psychosocial risks related to OSH: expert forecast  The main emerging psychosocial risks identified were related to five areas: 1.New forms of employment contracts and job insecurity 2.The OSH risks for the ageing workforce 3.Work intensification - high workload and work pressure 4.High emotional demands at work, violence and bullying 5.Poor work-life balance

Workplace and broader issues  Some of the ultimate causes of (and solutions to) stress at work lie outside the immediate workplace  The interaction of working and private life causes and effects make joined-up policies essential OSH, public health, employment, equal opportunities, research…

Overall trend: a fragmented future Fragmented working lives, workplaces and workforces Large impact on occupational health and public health

Overall trend: a fragmented future Fragmented working lives, workplaces and workforces  Longer working life (>65), but no longer a job for life A challenge for effective health surveillance  risk of weaker evidence base of harm to worker health Working beyond 65  effects of work-related diseases become more apparent

Overall trend: a fragmented future Fragmented working lives, workplaces and workforces  Multiple worksites  Teleworking  Global workplace  ICT: 24/7 availability, work  home spillover How do we maintain effective prevention?

Overall trend: a fragmented future Fragmented working lives, workplaces and workforces  Diversity: more women, migrants, older workers, workers with disabilities and chronic illnesses New risks, and old risks in new guises How do we help enterprises to manage this increased complexity to ensure a healthy workplace for all?

The challenge for OSH & psychosocial issues  Fragmented future that needs concerted action from the OSH community (& beyond) researchers, practitioners, policy-makers…  Economic crisis: the temptation of short-term savings that cause long-term costs prevention often has immediate & visible costs, and only long-term & less tangible (or unmeasured) benefits we need new metrics of OSH success  Demonstrate that a good psychosocial work environment is a decisive factor for quality, creativity, innovation, competitiveness…

What do we do next?  If psychosocial risk management is so good, why isn’t everybody doing it?  “Change we can believe in” and “tax cuts for the middle classes”  Better practical tools  Better persuasion tools  Ethical  Legal  Business argument (“marketing”): CBA, impact assessment, cost of “non-quality”

PRIMA-EF: “all of the above”  Develop existing knowledge reviewing available methodologies to evaluate the prevalence and impact of psychosocial risks at work  Develop international standards and indicators promote harmonisation in the area of psychosocial risk management and enhance best business practice  Develop detailed recommendations and evidence- based best-practice guidance promote clarity and a unified European approach that will enable stakeholders to put these in practice to improve the quality of working life  Disseminate the results of the project to stakeholders and social partners raise awareness and promote understanding, engagement and best practice

What’s going on?: European survey of enterprises  Covering all 27 Member States (+)  Enterprises (>10 employees) in both public and private sectors  Interviewing managers and staff representatives  How do enterprises actually manage OSH & psychosocial risks?  What are the drivers for action? Barriers?  What are their information needs?  How can they be supported to take better preventive action? RESULTS: Mid-2009

Thank you for your attention Eusebio Rial González European Agency for Safety and Health at Work