Maryse Badel

Psychosocial Risks in Social Security Law: Comparative Analysis of France and Northern Europe

While it is difficult to measure well-being and determine with any certainty which factors are important for a “good life”, we are now able to evaluate the quality of life using generally agreed indicators and identify harmful or pathogenic environments. A number of studies published in 2013 showed the incontrovertible impact of working conditions on employee absence for health reasons and demonstrated the link between quality of life at work and human well-being. Psychosocial risks at work are now recognised and unanimously deplored. This recently-coined term refers both to risk and disorders related to work organisation, as well as the relationship between workers and their work environment. These risks have increased rapidly in France, as in all industrialised countries, and are now appearing in emerging countries. China, for example, has recently contacted the International Labour Organisation (ILO) on how to manage psychosocial risks and several African States are beginning to address the issue.