EU decision-makers discuss mental health in the workplace.

According to the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA), psychosocial risks are amongst the greatest challenges to the health and safety of employees. These risks appear to have increased since the COVID-19 pandemic. In a survey conducted by EU-OSHA in 2022, 27 % of European employees reported that they had suffered from anxiety, depression or work-related stress during the previous twelve months. This could also have physical health consequences. There is also a risk of cardiovascular, muscular or skeletal disorders.

High-level conference on mental health and work

The Belgian Council Presidency devoted a separate high-level conference to the issue of mental health in the workplace, which was held on 30 and 31 January. The European Commission and representatives from the member states met there to discuss preventive measures for promoting the mental health of employees with the European social partners and health and safety experts.

A comprehensive approach to mental health

The European Commission published a communiqué covering its comprehensive approach to mental health, which also included initiatives and campaigns for dealing with psychosocial risks in the workplace back in June 2023. The Council published its own conclusions about the link between mental health and employment in October 2023. In particular, it focused on controlling precarious working relationships as a means of preventing psychosocial risks (see News 11/2023 as well). Mental health, including that in the workplace, has long been on the European Parliament's agenda.

Possibility of a European legal framework

During the high-level conference, EU decision-makers and stakeholders also expressed their views about a possible regulatory approach to confronting the psychosocial risks in the workplace. The view of Nicolas Schmit, EU Commissioner for Employment and Social Rights, is that a European instrument or directive could prove useful in raising the profile and improving the issue of mental health. Nicolas Schmit, who is the S&D group's top candidate, is also in the running to become the next president of the EC. It does not seem out of question to assume that a new commission will not only prioritise mental health, but also consider taking legislative action.