EU drives forward regulation of psychosocial risks.

Mental health in the workplace is increasingly moving into the focus of European occupational safety and health policy. The topic is gaining additional momentum through the clear political mandate to Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu to further develop the European approach to occupational safety and health (OSH) by 2029. A first initiative is expected as part of the upcoming Quality Jobs Act.

The European Parliament has already emphasised the need for action several times, most recently in 2022, with regard to mental health in the digital world of work. Now, an initiative by the Belgian Member of Parliament Estelle Ceulemans (S&D) is taking up the issue again and calling for concrete legislative measures. The aim is to close gaps in existing OSH legislation and to create a more uniform level of protection within the European Union (EU).

Inconsistent levels of protection across the EU

The current European legal framework does contain general principles of prevention, but, in the view of MEP Ceulemans, it provides too few binding provisions for dealing with psychosocial risks. Existing agreements between social partners, for example, on stress or violence at work, are also implemented inconsistently. This leads to significant differences in the protection of employees across Member States.

Psychosocial risks include, among other things, high workload, unclear roles, lack of support, conflicts, or difficulties in balancing work and private life. They can lead to stress, exhaustion, or burnout and also have economic effects, for instance, through absenteeism or declining productivity.

Proposed measures of the initiative report

Against this background, a central point of the initiative is the call on the European Commission to present, by the end of 2026, a directive with binding minimum requirements. This is intended to strengthen prevention and facilitate the recognition of work-related mental illnesses, which often still fail due to high evidentiary hurdles.

Among other things, mandatory annual psychosocial risk assessments are envisaged, as well as stronger obligations for companies to implement appropriate measures. In addition, training for employees and managers is proposed. Furthermore, EU-wide minimum standards for labour inspections are to be introduced and preventive measures are to be more strongly integrated into national strategies. Programmes for reintegration after mental illness are also part of the approach.

The democratic parties in the European Parliament are generally open to the proposal by the Social Democrat, but see a need for improvements, particularly with regard to small and medium-sized enterprises, the handling of artificial intelligence, as well as in the areas of climate and gender.

Different positions of the social partners

The reactions of the social partners in the context of an interparliamentary committee meeting vary. The European Trade Union Confederation supports the initiative and calls for stronger protection of employees. BusinessEurope, on the other hand, expresses criticism, in particular of additional legal requirements and what it sees as a one-sided approach. It is also criticised that existing structures such as the Advisory Committee on Safety and Health at Work (ACSH) are not sufficiently taken into account. Even in countries with already existing regulations, such as Belgium, case numbers, for example for burnout, remain high.

National developments and state of research

A study published in March by Eurogip shows that psychosocial risks arise primarily from working conditions such as high workload, poor organisation, or lack of support. Although the EU OSHƒ directive generally requires the assessment of all risks, specific provisions at European level are lacking.

Many of the seven Member States represented in the study have developed their own regulations, which, however, vary considerably. In addition to legislative measures, instruments such as assessment tools, campaigns, and company programmes also play an important role. Overall, it becomes clear that a holistic approach is required that takes into account both work organisation and the well-being of employees.

Outlook

Whether the Quality Jobs Act will actually advance the stronger consideration of psychosocial risks long called for by the European Parliament remains to be seen. The European Commission intends to provide initial insights into its regulatory plans in early May as part of the second consultation with social partners. At the same time, MEP Ceulemans aims to conclude negotiations on her legislative initiative report in the European Parliament by early October so that its proposals can also be taken into account in the context of the Quality Jobs Act.