Workplace Psychosocial Risks: Measurable and Modifiable Health Risks
An abundance of scientific evidence from around the world points to the adverse effects of workplace psychosocial risks on mental health1 and physical health. Over the past few years, the Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ) and its collaborators have developed a Tool for Identifying Psychosocial Risk Factors in the Workplace, which allows these risks to be identified and analyzed, and approaches to reducing their impact in the workplace to be proposed. For more information, visit the following section of the INSPQ’s website: Risques psychosociaux du travail.
What risks are we talking about?
Workplace psychosocial risk factors are linked to work organization, management practices, employment conditions and social relations. They are identifiable, measurable and modifiable risks. More specifically, the risks are:
- High workload.
- Low recognition.
- Low autonomy at work.
- Low support from colleagues or supervisors.
- Lack of communication and information.
- Psychological harassment.
1The term “mental health” comprises “psychic health” and “psychological health.”
