&w=3840&q=90)
AskTheExpert: Navigating a new era of psychosocial risk in Europe
14:00 – 15:00 Hora local irlandesa
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
Agenda
Speakers
Agnès Parent-Thirion
Senior research managerAgnès Parent-Thirion es directora senior de investigación en la unidad de Vida Laboral de Eurofound, supervisando la planificación y desarrollo de la investigación sobre condiciones laborales. Desempeña un papel clave en la Encuesta Europea sobre Condiciones Laborales (EWCS), co-liderando la preparación y el desarrollo del cuestionario para EWCS 2030. Sus intereses de investigación incluyen la calidad laboral, la organización del trabajo, el género, los riesgos psicosociales y el impacto de las transiciones verdes y digitales en la vida laboral. Con más de dos décadas de experiencia en encuestas comparativas europeas, Agnès se especializa en desarrollo de cuestionarios, codificación de ocupaciones, control de calidad y análisis. Es licenciada en economía y gestión por las universidades Paris IX Dauphine y Paris I Panthéon Sorbonne y posee un Diploma de Posgrado en Estadística por Trinity College Dublin. También ha completado formación especializada en liderazgo en IA (MIT Sloan Executive Education) y los principales retos de la transición (Campus de la Transition). Antes de unirse a Eurofound, trabajó varios años en la Comisión Europea.
Mary McCaughey
Head of Information & CommunicationMary McCaughey es Directora de Información y Comunicación de Eurofound. Graduada del Trinity College de Dublín y del College of Europe, Brujas, comenzó a trabajar en Bruselas con Europolitics y el Wall Street Journal Europe. Trabajó con la Asociación de Parlamentarios Europeos con África (AWEPA) en Sudáfrica durante la transición del país a la democracia, y en 1998 asumió el cargo de portavoz de la Delegación de la Unión Europea en Pretoria, dirigiendo su departamento de prensa e información durante la negociación del acuerdo de libre comercio entre la UE y Sudáfrica. Tras el final de la guerra de Kosovo, trabajó como consultora de comunicaciones para la Agencia Europea para la Reconstrucción de Serbia. Asumió el cargo de redactora jefe de Eurofound en 2003.
Serie: Ask The Expert webinars
Join our interactive #AskTheExpert webinars, where Eurofound researchers and invited guests present latest findings and answer your questions in real time. These sessions offer a unique opportunity to engage directly with the people behind European research.
Watch the webinar - AskTheExpert: Beyond the data - Uncovering persistent inequalities in European working conditions
&w=3840&q=75)
Watch the webinar - AskTheExpert: Are robots revolutionising work in Europe?
Watch the webinar - AskTheExpert: Facing the future - Exploring the key challenges for Europe in election year
Watch the webinar - AskTheExpert: State of play of social dialogue in Europe
Watch the webinar - #AskTheExpert: How to help workers struggling with inflation?
Watch the webinar: #AskTheExpert - Key ingredients for the future of work: job quality and gender equality
Watch the webinar - #AskTheExpert: Making telework work for everyone – lessons from the pandemic for a digital age
Watch the webinar: #AskTheExpert: Reassessing gender inequalities in the labour market: impact of COVID-19 pandemic
Watch the webinar - #AskTheExpert: Gender equality – It’s not all about pay
Watch the webinar: #AskTheExpert: The rise of the telework generation – What impact for working conditions?
Watch the webinar: #AskTheExpert - EU citizens experience deep fatigue and frustration as pandemic enters second year - New survey findings from Living, working and COVID-19
Watch the webinar: #AskTheExpert - Addressing the social and employment impact of the pandemic - Living, working and COVID-19
Watch the webinar: #AskTheExpert - Game-changing technologies - How will they impact Europe’s economy, work and employment?
Watch the webinar - #AskTheExpert: the European Company Survey 2019 findings on skills
Watch the webinar - #AskTheExpert: the European Company Survey 2019 findings on employee involvement
