FOCUS

PSYCHOSOCIAL RISKS

Psychosocial risks,

a business reality

A worker exposed to psychosocial risks shows signs of physical and psychological suffering. Such sufferings do not allow him/her to draw on his/her full productivity potential. His/her efficiency, his/her performance, his/her productivity and that of his/her organisation will be directly impacted.

The Swiss Confederation describes psychosocial risks as “one of today’s biggest health and security challenges.”

Risks inherent to a harmful or inadequate work setting

Psychosocial risks are increasingly present in workers’ everyday life. These are induced by the activity itself, or caused by work organisation or relationships. They have an impact of workers’ mental and physical health.

A study conducted by the SECO states that 58% of respondents believe that conflicts and psychological harassment constitute the first source of stress at work. OECD* estimates the costs, in Switzerland, of psychological illnesses at 3.2% of GDP.

* The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

Today, 3 out of 5 Swiss workers suffer from stress in the workplace.
« We are in a quite wealthy industrialised country, which nonetheless does not do enough to manage psychosocial risks.»

Brigitta Danuser, Director at the “Institut universitaire romand de Santé au Travail” (IST).