If our job is a major source of stress, perhaps even anxiety and depression, we are far from being in the minority — quite the opposite. In fact, in Greece, almost half of all workers (49%) report suffering from stress, depression or anxiety that is either caused or aggravated by their work. This is the highest percentage in Europe, followed by Finland at 45% and Cyprus at 43%.
The European average is 29%, with huge differences between the countries at the top and bottom of the list. Denmark has the lowest proportion of workers (19%) suffering from stress, anxiety or depression because of their work.
As Civil Society Europe (CSE), the pan-European network of civil society organisations from 28 different countries, comments:
“Mental health at work must be taken just as seriously as physical safety.
“At present, the European Parliament is calling for new European legislation on psychosocial risks at work, including risk assessments, measures to tackle excessive workloads, harassment and bullying, as well as safeguards for algorithmic management.
“These proposals echo the recommendations we have already put forward:
- occupational safety and health policies must protect the physical, mental and social well-being of workers;
- we must cover all workers, regardless of their employment status, and ensure that workplace risk assessments also include psychological risks alongside physical ones.”
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