Psychosocial risks and violence at work: prevalence and prevention approaches in Europe

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1 Psychosocial risks and violence at work: prevalence and prevention approaches in Europe A+A ILO International Occupational Safety and Health Conference October 2017, Dusseldorf Malgorzata Milczarek, PhD, European Agency for Safety and Health at Work Safety and health at work is everyone s concern. It s good for you. It s good for business.

2 European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) The European Union body responsible for the collection, analysis and dissemination of relevant information to serve the needs of those involved in safety and health at work Tripartite Board: European Commission and governments, employers, workers Network of National Focal Points 2

3 European Union (EU) - policy background The EU Framework Directive (89/391): legal obligation to protect workers by avoiding, evaluating and combatting risks to their safety and health EU Social Partners Agreements: work-related stress (2004), violence and harassment at work (2007) Safer and Healthier Work for All - modernisation of the EU occupational safety and health legislation and policy (2017) - Health and safety at work is everybody's business - a practical guidance for employers Different national approaches 3

4 Psychosocial risks, stress and health Psychosocial risks poor work design, organisation and management unfavourable social context of work Work-related Stress demands at work are beyond worker s capacity to cope with them Negative outcomes Emotional Cognitive Behavioural Physical and mental ill-health Non work-related factors major life events, serious illness, bereavement, etc. Individual factors 4

5 Psychosocial risk factors at work Excessive demands, a mismatch between demands and worker skills Lack of involvement and influence Lack of support Role conflict Poorly managed organisational change and job insecurity Unjust distribution of work, rewards, etc. Poor work-life balance Poor relationships, harassment Violence from third parties 5

6 ESENER-2: Risk factors present in the establishment (EU-OSHA, 2014) Having to deal with difficult customers, patients, pupils etc. Tiring or painful positions, including sitting for long periods Repetitive hand or arm movements Risk of accidents with machines or hand tools Lifting or moving people or heavy loads Risk of accidents with vehicles in the course of work Time pressure Chemical or biological substances Increased risk of slips, trips and falls Heat, cold or draught Loud noise Long or irregular working hours Poor communication or cooperation within the organisation Job insecurity Employees' lack of influence on their work pace or work Discrimination, for example due to gender, age or ethnicity % establishments, EU

7 ESENER-2: Action plan to prevent work-related stress and procedures in place to deal with bullying or harassment and cases of threats, abuse or assaults (EU-OSHA, 2014) Human health and social work activities Education Real estate activities Accommodation and food service activities Financial and insurance activities Arts, entertainment and recreation Administrative and support service activities EU-28 Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply Other service activities Public administration and defence; compulsory social security Transportation and storage Water supply; sewerage, waste management and Professional, scientific and technical activities Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles, Information and communication Mining and quarrying Construction Agriculture, forestry and fishing Manufacturing Violence Bullying or harassment Stress % establishments, EU-28 7

8 ESENER-2: Psychosocial risks management (EU-OSHA, 2014) Having enough information on how to include psychosocial risks in risk assessment Providing employees with training on psychosocial risks Yes No NA Yes No No answer % establishments, by size, EU

9 ESENER-2: Difficulties in addressing psychosocial risks, by establishment size (EU-OSHA, 2014) Reluctance to talk openly about these issues A lack of expertise or specialist support A lack of awareness among staff A lack of awareness among management % establishments, EU-28 Base: establishments in the EU-28 that report at least one psychosocial risk factor to be present in their establishments. 9

10 Managing psychosocial risks in the workplace Managing psychosocial risks involves the same basic prevention principles as for other workplace hazards 1) Raising awareness 2) Assessing risks 3) Developing an action plan 4) Monitoring and evaluation Leadership and worker participation is crucial 10

11 Managing psychosocial risks in the workplace Give priority to organisational measures Improvements in the work environment must always be considered first Individual measures (e.g. stress management training) must be based on a good psychosocial work environment Holistic approach: 1: Provide necessary help if harm occurred 2: Implement prevention measures in the work environment 3: Introduce Workplace Health Promotion 11

12 Managing psychosocial risks in the workplace: violence at work Implement zero tolerance policy and raise awareness - communicate the policy to workers and to the public Improve work organisation, e.g.: - reduce the cash kept on premises - don t isolate workers - ensure management support - have a proper information management for clients - introduce security measures (video surveillance, panic buttons ) Provide employees with: - information on how to handle violent situations - assertiveness and de-escalation training 12

13 EU-OSHA resources Healthy Workplaces Manage Stress E-guide for managing stress and psychosocial risks (30 national versions) 13

14 Thank You! Multilingual website: Monthly e-newsletter OSHmail: Social media 14