According to a new survey, Greece ranks first in the European Union for work-related stress, depression and anxiety, at 49%, compared with an EU average of 29%.
The European Parliament is calling for new EU legislation on psychosocial risks at work, including regular risk assessments and measures to address excessive workloads, harassment and bullying.
“The prevalence of these problems is increasing dramatically across Europe and is being exacerbated by the growing use of digital technologies and artificial intelligence in the workplace,” said MEP Estelle Ceulemans, a Belgian socialist and rapporteur for the text.
Germany follows Denmark with 20%, while Slovenia and Bulgaria are at 21%.
The proposed legislation concerns workplace health and safety and should protect workers’ physical, mental and social well-being. It should cover all workers, regardless of employment status, and ensure that workplace risk assessments include psychosocial risks alongside physical safety risks.
Finland ranks second in the survey at 45%, followed by Cyprus and Poland at 41%. Denmark has the lowest rate among EU countries, at 19%, followed by Germany at 20% and Slovenia and Bulgaria at 21%.