Vortrag „Austrian Approach to Psychosocial Risks at Work“ bei Konferenz in San Sebastian, Spanien

Vertreter aus Belgien, Dänemark, Italien und 4 spanischen autonomen Regionen berichteten wie sie die Evaluierung psychischer Belastungen am Arbeitsplatz umsetzen und welche gesetzlichen Richtlinien zu beachten sind. Rund 100 spanische ExpertInnen erfuhren, welche Aktivitäten bereits gesetzt wurden, welche Erkenntnisse die EU-OSHA (EU-Agentur für Sicherheit und Gesundheit bei der Arbeit) dazu hat und wie die Europäische Richtlinie in einzelnen Ländern in nationale Gesetze gegossen wurde.

Abstract des Vortrags von Veronika Jakl

Every one of us knows these times when the e-mail-inbox explodes, complaining customers call all day and the boss has several new ideas. So what could be changed? Moreover, who is responsible?

Austria has a very strict law regarding psychosocial risks (“Health and Safety at Work Act”). Every employer has the obligation to check if there is a potential stress factor regarding: 1) Surrounding 2) Tasks 3) Work organization and time management 4) Social climate.

This can be done with a survey, a group discussion or an observational interview. When a stress factor is identified, actions and measures have to follow. This process is mandatory for all organizations, starting from the first employee.

After more than three years with this legislation, at least 78% of the Austrian companies with a workers council started a project on psychosocial risks. On every workday there are around 20 special controls of labour inspectors. About 290 occupational psychologists are specialized in legal evaluation of psychosocial risks at work. It’s a growing market with many helpful tools and lots of good-practice-examples.

We’ve seen that the clear distinction between stress and strain and the Austrian focus on working conditions helps a lot. It helps employees to talk openly about working conditions and it helps companies to set organizational changes. Managers are no longer in fear to be responsible for the private stress of all employees.

Very important for a successful project is also the early participation of all stakeholders like management, workers council, HR, OSH-experts).

Together we can set up healthy working conditions!

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Die Konferenz wurde organisiert im Rahmen der Summer School der Universität des Baskenlandes. 

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