More than 840,000 people die due to conditions related to psychological and social risks at work

The report explained that these work-related psychosocial risks are mainly related to cardiovascular diseases and psychological disorders, including suicide.

The report, titled: “The psychosocial work environment: global developments and courses of action” These risks cause the loss of approximately 45 million years of what is known as disability-adjusted life annually, which reflects the years of healthy life lost due to disease, disability or premature death, and it is estimated that they lead to economic losses equivalent to 1.37 percent of the global gross domestic product each year.

The report warned that psychological and social risk factors can create harmful work environments if not properly addressed, including:

🔹Long working hours.

🔹Job insecurity.

🔹High demands with low ability to control.

🔹Bullying and harassment in the workplace.

Possible prevention

To better understand psychosocial risks, the report suggests three interconnected levels of the work environment:

⬅️ The nature of the work itself, including requirements and responsibilities, and the extent to which the work is compatible with the workers’ skills.

⬅️ How to organize and manage work.

⬅️ Wider workplace policies, practices and procedures that govern work.

The report emphasized that psychological and social risks arise from these elements, and can be prevented through regulatory approaches that address their root causes.

While many psychosocial risks are not new, the report said major shifts in the world of work – including digitalization, artificial intelligence, remote work, and new employment patterns – are reshaping the psychosocial work environment. These changes may exacerbate existing risks or create new risks if not dealt with appropriately.

The report was prepared on the occasion of World Day for Safety and Health at Work Which falls on April 28. The full report can be viewed at This link.