A new report from the International Labour Organization (ILO), a United Nations agency, reveals that over 840,000 people die each year from health conditions linked to workplace psychosocial risks. These risks include long working hours, job insecurity, and workplace harassment.
The report links these psychosocial risks primarily to cardiovascular diseases and mental health disorders, including suicide. "Psychosocial risks are becoming one of the most significant challenges for occupational safety and health in the modern world of work," stated Manal Azzi, an ILO team lead.
These health hazards result in nearly 45 million disability-adjusted life years lost annually. The combined impact of cardiovascular disease and mental disorders is estimated to cause a loss of 1.37% of global GDP each year. In Europe alone, the ILO reported 112,333 deaths and a 1.43% GDP loss.
Cardiovascular diseases represent the majority of deaths, but mental disorders account for a greater overall loss of healthy life years. Depression and anxiety alone are estimated to cause approximately 12 billion lost workdays annually. Common conditions include depression, anxiety disorders, burnout, sleep disturbances, and fatigue. Mental health struggles can also contribute to physical ailments through unhealthy coping mechanisms.
Long working hours, bullying, job strain, effort-reward imbalance, job insecurity, and violence or harassment are identified as the main drivers of poor health among workers. Research indicates that working 55 or more hours per week significantly increases the risk of stroke and death from ischemic heart disease.
The ILO highlights that 23% of workers globally have experienced violence or harassment at work, with psychological violence being the most prevalent. The evolving nature of work, influenced by digitization and AI, requires organizations to identify risks and implement preventive measures. When prevention fails, timely, non-stigmatizing support services are crucial.