The International Labour Organization has released a global report titled “The psychosocial working environment: Global developments and pathways for action”, highlighting that psychosocial risks are emerging as a major challenge in world of work, with significant implications for both worker health and economic productivity.
The report establishes that these risks are closely linked to cardiovascular diseases and mental disorders, including suicide, and calls for policy interventions at both government and industry levels, along with strengthening collective workforce mechanisms.
Concept of Psychosocial Risks
Psychosocial risks arise from the design, organisation, and management of work, along with workplace policies and practices that shape everyday working conditions.
- These include factors such as workload, working hours, job security, role clarity, autonomy, support systems, and fairness in organisational processes.
- When such factors negatively affect workers, they become psychosocial hazards, comparable to physical, chemical, and biological workplace risks, requiring systematic management.
Key Findings of Report
The ILO report adopts a prevention-oriented, organisational approach, analysing psychosocial risks across three levels:
- Nature of the job
- Work organisation and management
- Institutional policies and practices governing work
Globally, over 8.4 lakh deaths annually are linked to psychosocial risks such as long working hours, job insecurity, and workplace harassment. These risks contribute to nearly 45 million Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) lost each year, indicating substantial loss of healthy life due to illness, disability, or premature death.
The associated economic loss is estimated at around 1.37% of global GDP annually, highlighting the systemic nature of the problem.
Major Risk Factors Identified
The report identifies several critical psychosocial risk factors:
- Long Working Hours: Around 35% of workers globally work more than 48 hours per week, increasing risks of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.
- Workplace Harassment and Violence: About 23% of workers have experienced at least one form of workplace violence or harassment, with psychological violence (18%) being the most prevalent.
- Job Insecurity and High Demands: Conditions involving high workload with low control and insecure employment contribute to stress and adverse health outcomes.
- Workplace Bullying: Persistent harassment and bullying create toxic work environments, affecting both mental and physical well-being.
Changing Nature of Work and Emerging Risks
The report highlights that structural changes in the global economy are reshaping psychosocial risks:
- Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence
- Remote and flexible work arrangements
- New employment models and gig economy structures
While these transformations may intensify existing risks or create new ones, they also provide opportunities for better work organisation, flexibility, and improved work-life balance, provided they are managed effectively.
Health and Economic Implications
The report integrates data from the World Health Organization and the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study to estimate the impact of psychosocial risks.
- These risks are linked to a wide range of conditions including:
- Depression and anxiety disorders
- Cardiovascular and metabolic diseases
- Musculoskeletal disorders
- Sleep disturbances
- The findings underline that psychosocial risks are not just individual health concerns but macroeconomic challenges affecting productivity, labour markets, and economic resilience.
Policy Approach and Way Forward
The report emphasizes the need for multi-level interventions:
- Government Level: Strengthening labour regulations, social protection, and occupational safety frameworks.
- Enterprise Level: Improving workplace design, management practices, and employee support systems.
- Workforce Level: Promoting collectivisation and worker participation to ensure safer and more equitable work environments.
- Preventive Strategy: Early identification and management of psychosocial risks to avoid long-term health and economic costs.