The way jobs are designed, organized and managed has a major effect on worker health and safety, and according to the study – The psychosocial work environment: Global developments and options for action – the effect is growing and manifests itself in increasing incidence of cardiovascular diseases and mental disorders, including suicide.
The report’s authors looked at three interrelated areas of work: the nature of the job (including the demands, responsibilities and tasks), how it is organized and managed, and the wider workplace policies in place (such as performance and reward processes and rules to prevent violence and harassment).
They estimated the figure at 840,000 deaths per year by looking at global levels of workplace risk factors: workload, an imbalance between effort and reward, job insecurity, long working hours, bullying and harassment.
Scientific research shows how these risks increase the likelihood of serious health conditions, and the risk levels were matched with the latest global mortality and health data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and Global burden of disease study to arrive at the number.
A significant challenge
Many of these risks have existed for a long time, but the ILO is concerned about the effects of the current transformations taking place where we work.
These upheavals include digitization, artificial intelligence, remote working and new job arrangements, which – if not properly addressed – can exacerbate existing problems or create new ones.
“Psychosocial risks are becoming one of the most important challenges for occupational safety and health in the modern world of work,” says Manal Azzi, Team Leader for Occupational Health and Safety Policy and Systems at the ILO. “Improving the psychosocial working environment is essential not only to protect the mental and physical health of workers, but also to enhance productivity, organizational performance and sustainable economic development.”
Create a healthier workplace
The report emphasizes this the risks and excess deaths can be avoided if the root causes are addressedand if psychosocial risk management is integrated into occupational health and safety systems and supported by social dialogue between governments, employers and workers.
By proactively addressing the risks, the report concludes, countries and companies can create healthier workplaces that benefit both workers and organizations – while strengthening productivity and economic resilience.
