Berlin, 24 January 2008 Eusebio Rial González Head of the European Risk Observatory Work-related stress in the EU: recent developments

Overview  Work-related stress: a key concern across the EU Policy Research Practice Social dialogue

Overview  Work-related stress: a key concern across the EU Policy Research Practice Social dialogue

Community strategy on health and safety at work  Explicit mention of psychosocial risks as a key reason for the Strategy:  “With a view to relaunching the policy on health and safety at work, the European Commission defined a new Community strategy in 2002 for the period This was based on an overall approach to wellbeing at work which took account of changes in the workplace and the emergence of new risks, especially those of a psychosocial nature”

Community strategy on health and safety at work  “Taking account of new risks. The increase in psycho-social problems and illnesses is posing a new challenge to health and safety at work and is compromising moves to improve well-being at work. The various forms of psychological harassment and violence at work likewise pose a special problem nowadays” (§3.3.1)

Community strategy on health and safety at work  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.”

Overview  Work-related stress: a key concern across the EU Policy Research Practice Social dialogue

1934 Emerging risks…?

“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

“New and emerging risks” “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)

December 2005: OSH research priorities Input into FP7  Psychosocial work environment  Musculoskeletal disorders  Dangerous substances  OSH management  Seminar series on research priorities: Bilbao, Berlin, Warsaw

Identify causes, effects and design preventive solutions for new risks Instruments/ secondary objectives Research priorities: psychosocial issues, musculoskeletal disorders, dangerous substances, knowledge of reproductive risks, OSH management, risks associated with several cross-factors Promotion mental health at work place promote and prevent violence and harassment at workplace Employment of people with mental disabilities

Identify causes, effects and design preventative solutions for new risks Research priorities: psychosocial issues, musculoskeletal disorders, dangerous substances, knowledge of reproductive risks, OSH management, risks associated with several cross-factors Research  policy

when  29 November 2005 “Priorities for occupational safety and health research in the EU-25 ”  1-2 December 2005 First research seminar, DGs attending, consolidated list of priorities  10 January 2006 FP6 call for proposals on work-related stress & violence  January 2007 “PRIMA-EF” launched science met money

Overview  Work-related stress: a key concern across the EU Policy Research Practice Social dialogue

Practical tools and methods still needed  PRIMA-EF project: Psychosocial RIsk MAnagement – European Framework Develop detailed recommendations and evidence-based best-practice guidance on the management of these issues at the workplace to promote clarity and a unified European approach that will enable stakeholders to put these in practice to improve the quality of working life  EU-OSHA: European Survey of Enterprises on New and Emerging Risks (ESENER): psychosocial risks How do enterprises (public and private) deal with psychosocial risks? How can we help them? What are the barriers to action? What are the drivers for action

Overview  Work-related stress: a key concern across the EU Policy Research Practice Social dialogue

A shared concern in EU social dialogue  Framework agreement on work-related stress ( ) “Work-related stress has been identified at international, European and national levels as a concern for both employers and workers”  Framework agreement on harassment and violence at work ( ) BUSINESSEUROPE, UEAPME, CEEP and ETUC (and the liaison committee EUROCADRES/CEC) condemn them in all their forms. They consider it is a mutual concern of employers and workers to deal with this issue, which can have serious social and economic consequences.

Thank you for your attention Eusebio Rial González