Psychosocial risks and stress at work
Psychosocial risks
Anything in the design or management of work that increases the risk of work-related stress can be understood as a psychosocial hazard.While stress itself does not constitute a physical or psychological injury, a stress response includes the physical, mental and emotional reactions that occur when a worker perceives that the demands of work exceed their ability or resources to cope. If prolonged and/or severe, work-related stress can cause both psychological and physical injuries. While pressure is normal in many workplaces, stress may result when ‘pressure becomes excessive or otherwise unmanageable’.
Common psychosocial risks
There are a variety of aspects of work which can pose psychosocial risks to workers.Job content/task design
Lack of variety in the work; under-use of skills or under-skilled for workWorkload and work pace
Long or unsocial work hours; shift working; inflexible hoursJob control
Lack of control over job design or workload; limited participation in deciding one’s own workEnvironment and equipment
Unsafe equipment and resources; poor physical working conditions (such as poor lighting, excessive or irritating noise, poor ergonomics)Organizational culture
Unclear organizational objectives; poor communication; culture that enables discrimination or abuseInterpersonal relationships at work
Social or physical isolation; limited support from supervisors or colleagues; authoritarian supervision and poor line management; violence, harassment or bullying; discrimination and exclusionRole in organization
Unclear job role within the organization or teamCareer development
Under- or over-promotion; job insecurity; poor investment in development; punitive procedures for sickness absence and performance managementHome-work interface
Conflicting home/work demands; being away from home for workWhat employers can do?
The key to deal with psychosocial hazards and risks in the workplace is prevention by means of:- conducting comprehensive risk assessment, covering all aspects of work, including psychosocial hazards and risks, as it is done with other workplace hazards;
- adopting collective and individual preventive and control measures;
- increasing the coping ability of workers by increasing their control over their tasks;
- improving organizational communication;
- allowing workers’ participation in decision making;
- building up social support systems for workers within the workplace;
- taking into account the interaction between working and living conditions;
- enhancing the value placed on safety and health within the organization.