AskTheExpert: Navigating a new era of psychosocial risk in Europe
Eurofound is organising 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.
Tuesday, 3 February 2026
Start
14:00
End
15:00
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 brings 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 Risks(opens in new tab)This link opens in a new tab (ESENER). Moderator Mary McCaughey speaks 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 will also look at the role of job quality in supporting mental and physical well-being and discuss 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 will also provide 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.
This debate will be livestreamed on Livestorm. Livestorm is the only platform where you can actively participate in discussions and ask questions to the experts. Sign up now(opens in new tab)This link opens in a new tab!
Agenda
Speakers
Agnès Parent-Thirion
Senior research managerAgnès Parent-Thirion viša je voditeljica istraživanja u odjelu za radni život u Eurofoundu, zadužena za planiranje, razvoj i provedbu istraživačkih projekata o radnim uvjetima, posebno Europskog istraživanja o radnim uvjetima (EWCS) i njegovih analiza. Odgovorna je za izvanredno izdanje EWCS-a 2021. i za pripremu upitnika za EWCS 2024. Njezini istraživački interesi uključuju radne uvjete, kvalitetu radnih mjesta, praćenje radnih uvjeta, organizaciju rada, spol, budućnost rada i vrijeme. Već više od desetljeća radi u području europskih komparativnih istraživanja, u svim aspektima uključujući dizajn, izradu upitnika, terenski rad, kontrolu kvalitete i analizu. Diplomirala je ekonomiju i menadžment na sveučilištima Paris IX Dauphine i Paris I Panthéon Sorbonne te je stekla poslijediplomski studij statistike na Trinity Collegeu u Dublinu. Nedavno je završila online tečajeve o umjetnoj inteligenciji: vodstvo vođeno istraživanjem s MIT Sloan Executive Education i 'Les grand enjeux de la transition: re-ouvrir l'horizon, comprendre pour agir' s Campus de la Transition. Prije nego što se pridružila Eurofoundu, nekoliko je godina radila u Europskoj komisiji.
Mary McCaughey
Head of Information & CommunicationMary McCaughey voditeljica je odjela za informiranje i komunikaciju u Eurofoundu. Diplomirala je na Trinity Collegeu u Dublinu i College of Europe u Brugesu, a počela je raditi u Bruxellesu za Europolitics i Wall Street Journal Europe. Surađivala je s Udrugom europskih parlamentaraca s Afrikom (AWEPA) u Južnoj Africi tijekom tranzicije zemlje u demokraciju, a 1998. preuzela je dužnost glasnogovornice Delegacije Europske unije u Pretoriji, na čelu njezina odjela za tisak i informiranje tijekom pregovora o sporazumu o slobodnoj trgovini između EU-a i Južne Afrike. Nakon završetka rata na Kosovu radila je kao savjetnica za komunikacije u Europskoj agenciji za obnovu u Srbiji. Dužnost glavne urednice Eurofounda preuzela je 2003.
Series: 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.
