Loïc Lerouge

Work-Related Psychosocial Risks: Key Definitions and an Overview of the Policy Context in Europe

Psychosocial factors refers to aspects of work organization, design and management that include, among others, work demands, the availability of organizational support, rewards, and interpersonal relationships in the workplace.

Health and Safety Law and Psychosocial Risks at Work: A Comparative Overview of France and Other Countries

“Psychosocial risks at work” have now been recognised, described, and commented on by a number of legal disciplines. Working conditions have changed, sometimes in ways that may damage workers’ mental and physical health. Psychosocial risks (PSR) are a novel area of work-related risks in that they have multiple causes and involve individual subjectivity: each person reacts differently when he or her is facing psychosocial risks. A comparative legal overview is useful for undestanding the necessity to take into account nowaday the work environment in the occupational health policy and to look beyond only health and safety. The challenge is also to change the approaches, in other words to move from reparation to prevention.

Making the Law a Key Instrument for Combating Psychosocial Risks in a Changing World of Work

The last decades have seen a significant development in the economic, political, technological and social landscape. In this context of development, new occupational risks—such as psychosocial risks—have emerged. The term “psychosocial” refers to a combination of psychological and social factors. In order to tackle these challenges, occupational safety and health (OSH) research must include psychosocial risks, by focusing on specific aspects related to the changing nature of the world of work and offering integrated solutions taking into consideration social, economic, national and organisational factors. In this context, Law has a role to play and would be relevant to lead to change the approaches.

Bullying and Law in Japan

Japanese society uses the term of “power harassment” to designate psychological harassment or bullying. Because a lot of incident are reported, Japanese government decided to implement measures. But even if the Japanese Authorities concern about power harassment, there is a striking lack of legislation on this issue. Discussions started on the definition of power harassment that produced many debates. The solution maybe would come from the courts. In the same time, a definition of power harassment in Japan and eventually legislate need to take into account specific features of Japanese corporate culture.