Health and Me

Rachel V Thomas

Work Stress Kills 840,000 People Every Year, Says ILO

Long working hours, job insecurity, and workplace harassment claim more than 840,000 lives each year, according to a new global report by the International Labour Organization (ILO).

The report noted that the work-related psychosocial risks—including long working hours, job insecurity, high demands with low control, and workplace bullying and harassment—are surging heart diseases and mental disorders, including suicide.

In addition to deaths, these risks account for nearly 45 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost annually, reflecting years of healthy life lost due to illness, disability, or premature death, and are estimated to result in economic losses equivalent to 1.37 per cent of global GDP each year. 

“Psychosocial risks are becoming one of the most significant challenges for occupational safety and health in the modern world of work,” said Manal Azzi, Team Lead on OSH Policy and Systems at the ILO.

“Improving the psychosocial working environment is essential not only for protecting workers’ mental and physical health, but also for strengthening productivity, organizational performance, and sustainable economic development,” Azzi added.

The report highlights the growing impact of how work is designed, organized, and managed on workers’ safety and health.

<h2>How Psychosocial Risks Can Be Prevented in Workplaces?</h2>

Read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/not-diabetes-or-obesity-expert-says-chronic-stress-is-the-new-lifestyle-disease-article-154059087" data-type="tilCustomLink">Not Diabetes or Obesity: Expert Says Chronic Stress Is The New Lifestyle Disease</a>

There is a broad body of evidence showing that psychosocial risks are linked to a wide range of mental and physical health conditions among workers, including depression and anxiety, as well as metabolic diseases, musculoskeletal disorders, and sleep disturbances. 

The report identified five major psychosocial risk factors at work: 

<ul><li>job strain (high demands combined with low control), </li><li>effort–reward imbalance, </li><li>job insecurity, </li><li>long working hours, </li><li>workplace bullying and harassment.</li></ul>Scientific research was then conducted to understand how these risks increase the likelihood of serious health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, and mental disorders, including suicide. It warned that if the concerns are not addressed, it can build a harmful environment.

The report emphasized the need for organizational approaches that address their root causes. It also highlighted the importance of integrating psychosocial risk management into occupational safety and health systems, supported by social dialogue between governments, employers, and workers.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/why-women-feel-more-fatigued-in-extreme-heat-doctors-explain-article-154137554" data-type="tilCustomLink">Why Women Feel More Fatigued In Extreme Heat: Doctors Explain</a>

Further, the report introduced the psychosocial working environment as the elements of work and workplace interactions related to how jobs are designed, how work is organized and managed, and the broader policies, practices, and procedures that govern work. These elements, both individually and in combination, affect workers’ health and well-being, as well as organizational performance.

“While many psychosocial risks are not new, major transformations in the world of work, including digitalization, artificial intelligence, remote work, and new employment arrangements, are reshaping the psychosocial working environment. These changes may intensify existing risks or create new ones if not properly addressed,” the ILO noted.

It added that the changes can also “offer opportunities for improved work organization and greater flexibility, highlighting the need for proactive action”. 

By addressing these risks proactively, the report said that countries and enterprises can create healthier workplaces that benefit both workers and organizations while strengthening productivity and economic resilience.

Health Conditions A-Z

health

Work Stress

International Labour Organization

job insecurity

workplace bullying

suicide

psychosocial risks

heart diseases

mental disorders

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Long working hours, job insecurity, and workplace harassment claim more than 840,000 lives each year, according to a new global report by the International Labour Organization (ILO). The report noted that the work-related psychosocial risks—including long working hours, job insecurity, high demands with low control, and workplace bullying and harassment—are surging heart diseases and mental disorders, including suicide. In addition to deaths, these risks account for nearly 45 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost annually, reflecting years of healthy life lost due to illness, disability, or premature death, and are estimated to result in economic losses equivalent to 1.37 per cent of global GDP each year. “Psychosocial risks are becoming one of the most significant challenges for occupational safety and health in the modern world of work,” said Manal Azzi, Team Lead on OSH Policy and Systems at the ILO. “Improving the psychosocial working environment is essential not only for protecting workers’ mental and physical health, but also for strengthening productivity, organizational performance, and sustainable economic development,” Azzi added. The report highlights the growing impact of how work is designed, organized, and managed on workers’ safety and health. How Psychosocial Risks Can Be Prevented in Workplaces? Read: Not Diabetes or Obesity: Expert Says Chronic Stress Is The New Lifestyle DiseaseThere is a broad body of evidence showing that psychosocial risks are linked to a wide range of mental and physical health conditions among workers, including depression and anxiety, as well as metabolic diseases, musculoskeletal disorders, and sleep disturbances.  The report identified five major psychosocial risk factors at work: job strain (high demands combined with low control), effort–reward imbalance, job insecurity, long working hours, workplace bullying and harassment.Scientific research was then conducted to understand how these risks increase the likelihood of serious health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, and mental disorders, including suicide. It warned that if the concerns are not addressed, it can build a harmful environment. The report emphasized the need for organizational approaches that address their root causes. It also highlighted the importance of integrating psychosocial risk management into occupational safety and health systems, supported by social dialogue between governments, employers, and workers. Also read: Why Women Feel More Fatigued In Extreme Heat: Doctors ExplainFurther, the report introduced the psychosocial working environment as the elements of work and workplace interactions related to how jobs are designed, how work is organized and managed, and the broader policies, practices, and procedures that govern work. These elements, both individually and in combination, affect workers’ health and well-being, as well as organizational performance.“While many psychosocial risks are not new, major transformations in the world of work, including digitalization, artificial intelligence, remote work, and new employment arrangements, are reshaping the psychosocial working environment. These changes may intensify existing risks or create new ones if not properly addressed,” the ILO noted. It added that the changes can also “offer opportunities for improved work organization and greater flexibility, highlighting the need for proactive action”. By addressing these risks proactively, the report said that countries and enterprises can create healthier workplaces that benefit both workers and organizations while strengthening productivity and economic resilience.