European Parliament calls for stronger protection in the workplace.

On 6 October, the European Parliament adopted an own-initiative report on psychosocial risks, stress and mental health at work, with 413 votes in favour, 210 against and 29 abstentions. In the report, the Parliament sets out recommendations to the European Commission without creating new binding legislation. The focus is on calls for effective protection against psychosocial risks in the workplace. However, the draft directive comprising 23 articles originally proposed by rapporteur Estelle Ceulemans (S&D, BE) was weakened during the parliamentary process by being replaced with 19 recommendations.

Recommendations instead of binding EU requirements

The adopted report contains recommendations for a future Commission proposal on preventing and reducing work-related psychosocial risks. Greater emphasis is placed on national responsibilities. Instead of the annual risk assessments and action plans initially envisaged, the report now recommends regular and ad hoc assessments, as well as measures based on their findings. Training, easy-to-use tools and sector-specific guidance are intended to support implementation, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Focus on work organisation and digitalisation

Employers should assess and document psychosocial risks regularly and whenever significant organisational changes occur, with the involvement of workers. Specific preventive measures should focus in particular on work organisation, workload and staffing levels, as well as countering violence and harassment in the workplace.

Before algorithmic management and monitoring systems are introduced, for example for AI-supported staff deployment or performance management, psychosocial risks should be assessed and effective human oversight ensured.

Recognition of occupational diseases remains a national responsibility

Members of the European Parliament suggest considering psychosocial workloads as a possible cause of occupational diseases and reviewing the European list of occupational diseases. At the same time, the report emphasises the responsibility of the Member States and their social security systems for the recognition of occupational diseases and the burden of proof.

Outlook

It remains open whether the European Commission will take up the European Parliament’s recommendations in the Quality Jobs Act planned for December. This is expected to include, among other things, updates to the Workplace Directive and the Display Screen Equipment Directive. The inclusion of psychosocial, ergonomic, heat-related and weather-related risks is also being examined. The extent to which this will result in specific new EU requirements for protection against psychosocial risks remains unclear.