AskTheExpert: Navigating a new era of psychosocial risk in Europe
14:00 – 15:00 Местно ирландско време
Eurofound organised a joint webinar with the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) on 3 February 2026 at 14:00-15:00 Irish time (15:00-16:00 CET) looking at latest research on psychosocial risk in workplaces across Europe, with a live Q&A.
The debate
As the European world of work undergoes a profound digital and social transformation, the nature of workplace hazards is widening to further cover psychological issues. While traditional safety risks are still a concern, a question looms: Is work in Europe becoming more stressful?
This joint webinar brought together the latest evidence from two landmark studies: Eurofound’s 2024 European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS) and EU-OSHA’s 2024 European Survey of Enterprises on New and Emerging Risksopens in new tab (ESENER). Moderator Mary McCaughey spoke with Agnes Parent-Thirion, Eurofound Senior Research Manager, and Xabier Irastorza, Senior Research Project Manager at EU-OSHA, about new data showing that nearly 45% of workers now face mental health risk factors.
They also looked at the role of job quality in supporting mental and physical well-being and discussed which psychosocial risks factors are most prevalent.
Rapid digitalisation and changes to the work environment have brought significant stressors, but managing risk remains fundamental. Data from the ESENER survey suggests that while 21% of establishments find psychosocial risks more difficult to manage than physical ones, many still fail to implement systematic assessments and involve workers. EWCS 24 data also indicate that 29% of workers in the EU are not adequately informed about the prevention of work-related stress.
As well as identifying the issues, the webinar also provided an opportunity to discuss solutions, including how practical measures related to job redesign, social support, and worker participation can turn a poor environment into a resource enhancing and supportive one.
Watch the recording
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Speakers
Agnès Parent-Thirion
Senior research managerАгнес Парент-Тирион е старши ръководител на научните изследвания в отдел "Трудов живот" в Eurofound, натоварен с планирането, разработването и изпълнението на изследователски проекти за условията на труд, по-специално Европейското проучване на условията на труд (EWCS) и неговите анализи. Отговаря за извънредното издание на EWCS 2021 и за подготовката на въпросника за EWCS 2024. Нейните изследователски интереси включват условия на труд, качество на работата, мониторинг на условията на труд, организация на труда, пол, бъдещето на работата и времето. Повече от десетилетие работи в областта на европейските сравнителни изследвания във всички аспекти, включително дизайн, разработване на въпросници, теренна работа, контрол на качеството и анализ. Тя е завършила икономика и мениджмънт от университетите Париж IX Дофин и Париж I Пантеон Сорбона и притежава следдипломна квалификация по статистика от Тринити Колидж Дъблин. Наскоро тя завърши онлайн курсове по изкуствен интелект: лидерство, водено от изследване с MIT Sloan Executive Education и "Les grand enjeux de la transition: re-ouvrir l'horizon, comprendre pour agir" с Campus de la Transition. Преди да се присъедини към Eurofound, тя е работила няколко години в Европейската комисия.
Mary McCaughey
Head of Information & CommunicationМери МакКоги е ръководител на отдел "Информация и комуникации" в Eurofound. Завършила Тринити Колидж в Дъблин и Колежа на Европа в Брюж, тя започва работа в Брюксел с Europolitics и Wall Street Journal Europe. Работи с Асоциацията на европейските парламентаристи с Африка (AWEPA) в Южна Африка по време на прехода на страната към демокрация, а през 1998 г. заема поста говорител на Делегацията на Европейския съюз в Претория, оглавявайки нейния отдел за пресата и информация по време на преговорите по споразумението за свободна търговия между ЕС и Южна Африка. След края на войната в Косово работи като консултант по комуникациите за Европейската агенция за възстановяване в Сърбия. През 2003 г. тя поема поста главен редактор на Eurofound.
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