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.
Monday, 2 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 je višja vodja raziskav v enoti za delovno življenje pri Eurofoundu, ki je zadolžena za načrtovanje, razvoj in izvajanje raziskovalnih projektov o delovnih razmerah, zlasti evropske raziskave o delovnih razmerah (EWCS) in njenih analiz. Odgovorna je za izredno izdajo EWCS 2021 in za pripravo vprašalnika za EWCS 2024. Njeni raziskovalni interesi vključujejo delovne pogoje, kakovost delovnih mest, spremljanje delovnih pogojev, organizacijo dela, spol, prihodnost dela in čas. Že več kot desetletje dela na področju evropskih primerjalnih raziskav na vseh področjih, vključno z oblikovanjem, razvojem vprašalnika, terenskim delom, kontrolo kakovosti in analizo. Diplomirala je iz ekonomije in managementa na univerzah Paris IX Dauphine in Paris I Panthéon na Sorboni ter ima podiplomsko diplomo iz statistike na Trinity College Dublin. Pred kratkim je zaključila spletne tečaje o umetni inteligenci: vodenje na podlagi poizvedb pri MIT Sloan Executive Education in "Les grand enjeux de la transition: re-ouvrir l'horizon, comprendre pour agir" s Campus de la Transition. Preden se je pridružila Eurofoundu, je več let delala v Evropski komisiji.
Mary McCaughey
Head of UnitMary McCaughey je vodja oddelka za informacije in komuniciranje pri Eurofoundu. Diplomirala je na Trinity College v Dublinu in College of Europe v Bruggeju, v Bruslju pa je začela delati pri Europolitics in Wall Street Journal Europe. Med prehodom države v demokracijo je sodelovala z Združenjem evropskih poslancev z Afriko (AWEPA) v Južni Afriki, leta 1998 pa je prevzela funkcijo tiskovne predstavnice delegacije Evropske unije v Pretoriji, kjer je vodila tiskovni in informacijski oddelek med pogajanji o sporazumu o prosti trgovini med EU in Južno Afriko. Po koncu vojne na Kosovu je delala kot svetovalka za komuniciranje pri Evropski agenciji za obnovo v Srbiji. Leta 2003 je prevzela funkcijo glavne urednice Eurofounda.
Series: Ask The Expert webinars
Join our interactive Ask the Expert webinars, where Eurofound researchers present our latest findings and answer your questions in real time. These sessions offer a unique opportunity to engage directly with the people behind the research.
