The Employment and Social Affairs Committee of the European Parliament approved, by 41 votes in favor, 12 against, and four abstentions, a set of recommendations for new European legislation that establishes minimum requirements to prevent, eliminate, or reduce psychosocial risks related to work, including occupational stress, burnout, harassment, and violence. The rapporteur of the report is Belgian MEP Estelle Ceulemans, who considered that the document represents a step forward in responding to these problems, which are increasing throughout Europe and are exacerbated by the growing use of digital technologies and artificial intelligence in the workplace.
The MEPs advocate binding obligations for employers to protect the mental and physical health of workers and ensure safe and dignified working conditions. They want the European Commission and Member States to explicitly recognize that work-related psychosocial risks can lead to occupational diseases. According to data from the International Labour Organization cited by the European Parliament, more than 840,000 people die every year due to health problems associated with psychosocial risks, with an estimated annual cost of 100 billion euros associated with work-related depression in the EU.
Among the proposed measures is the obligation for employers to conduct regular assessments of psychosocial risks, taking into account factors such as excessive workloads and high work intensity, and to adopt action plans with concrete measures. The MEPs also want specific policies against violence, harassment, bullying, and discriminatory behaviors, in addition to reiterating the right of workers to disconnect from work. Significant changes in work organization, including telework or the introduction of automated systems, should be preceded by psychosocial risk assessments in cooperation with workers.
The European Parliament is expected to vote on the initiative during the plenary session of October 2026 and, after this vote, the European Commission will have three months to respond, indicating the measures it intends to adopt or justifying any refusal to present a legislative proposal. For workers who have been absent due to work-related psychosocial risks, the MEPs also call for a supported and sustainable return to work, through individual plans that may include changes to schedules, organization, tasks, or workload.
