Improve Understanding Of Work Related Stress And Psychosocial Risks.

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IMPROVE UNDERSTANDING OF WORK-RELATED STRESS AND PSYCHOSOCIAL RISKS

Work-related stress is a growing problem around the world that affects not only the health and wellbeing of employees, but also the productivity of organisations.

Psychosocial risk is anything that could cause psychological harm. Psychosocial risks can create stress. This can cause psychological or physical harm. 

Psychological harm may include anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, sleep disorders, it also include musculoskeletal injuries, chronic disease or fatigue related injuries.

Stress is thought to contribute to about half of all lost working days, along with other psychosocial risks. Around 4 in 10 workers think that stress is not handled well in their workplace

If workers are stressed often, over a long time, or the level of stress is high, it can cause harm. So,

• Promote management of these risks.
• Prevent significant negative effects.
• Provide support and guidance for workers and employers.
• Encourage the use of practical, user-friendly tools.

Psychosocial risks arise from

• Poor work design, organisation and management;
• Unfavourable social context of work; and
• May result in negative psychological, physical and social outcomes, including work-related stress.

 Work-related stress

• Is an organisational issue and not an individual fault;
• Occurs when demands at work are beyond the worker’s capacity to cope with them.

A poor psychosocial work environment may be the result of

• Excessive or conflicting work demands;
• Lack of participation and influence over the way the job is done;
• Poor communication and lack of support;
• Psychological and sexual harassment and third-party violence;

A poorly managed organisational change and job insecurity

The negative effects

For the individual

• Difficulty in concentrating and making mistakes
• Burnout and depression
• Problems in personal life
• Drug and alcohol abuse
• Poor physical health

For the organisation

• Poor overall business performance
• Increased absenteeism and presenteeism
• Increased accident and injury rates

Managing psychosocial risks

• Only about 30% of organisations in Europe have procedures in place for dealing with psychosocial risks*.
• Dealing with those risks is often considered as more difficult compared to ‘traditional’ OSH risks.

But…

• Psychosocial risks can be assessed and managed in the same systematic way as other OSH risks.
• The benefits of managing psychosocial risks and work-related stress clearly outweigh the costs of implementation for organisations of all sizes.

Benefits of managing psychosocial risks

• Improved workers' well-being and job satisfaction
• A healthy, motivated and productive workforce
• Improved overall performance and productivity
• Reduced absence and staff turnover rates
• Reduced costs and burden on society as a whole
• Compliance with legal requirements

The role of management

• Employers are responsible for implementing a plan to prevent/reduce psychosocial risks.
• Managers should promote a supportive workplace environment, encouraging workers to raise concerns and suggestions.
• Middle managers have a crucial role to play as they interact with workers on a daily basis.
• Good leadership and people management skills help create a good psychosocial work environment; these skills can be learned and developed.
• Implementing voluntary measures to promote mental well-being can also make an important contribution to a healthy workplace.

The importance of worker participation

• While good leadership can help to reduce work-related stress and psychosocial risks, worker participation is also key.
• There must be two-way dialogue between employers and the workforce.
• Workers and their representatives have the best understanding of problems in their workplace and can help to shape planning and implement solutions.
• Consulting workers will help to improve overall morale and ensure that measures put in place are both appropriate and effective.

How to manage stress and psychosocial risks

• Even with only limited resources, psychosocial risks can be effectively assessed and managed.
• Being proactive and having a plan in place to pre-empt problems is the most effective way to tackle psychosocial risks in the workplace.
• A risk assessment is essential to identify hazards and appropriate solutions.
• Practical tools and guidance facilitating effective management of psychosocial risks are available.

Get involved

• All organisations and individuals can take part.
• Get involved by:- 
• Distributing and publicising campaign messages and materials;
• Using and promoting the campaign’s practical tools;
• Taking part in campaign events or organising your own.