To commemorate the World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2026, a new global report from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) has revealed that more than 840,000 people die globally each year from health conditions linked to psychosocial risks at work, such as long hours, job insecurity, and workplace harassment.
- +Long work hours, job insecurity, linked to 840,000 deaths annually – ILO
This costs the global economy approximately 1.37 percent of its GDP each year.
This costs the global economy approximately 1.37 percent of its GDP each year.
The issues are poorly designed or managed workplaces, characterised by high demands, long hours, and job insecurity which are damaging both workers’ health and the global economy.
According to the report titled, ‘The Psychosocial Working Environment: Global Developments and Pathways for Action’ highlights how the way work is designed and managed affects safety and health.
“Psychosocial risks are becoming one of the most significant challenges for occupational safety and health in the modern world of work,” said Manal Azzi, team lead on OSH Policy and Systems at the ILO. “Improving the psychosocial working environment is essential not only for protecting workers’ mental and physical health, but also for strengthening productivity, organisational performance, and sustainable economic development.”
The ILO notes that these risks are primarily linked to cardiovascular diseases and mental health disorders, including suicide. The report also finds that these risks result in the loss of nearly 45 million “disability-adjusted life years” (DALYs) annually, a figure representing the years of healthy life lost to illness, disability, or early death.
It warns that factors such as high demands with little control, job insecurity, and bullying can create harmful environments if left unaddressed.
The ILO defines the psychosocial working environment as the collective elements of a job and workplace interactions, including task design, management styles, and the policies that govern the workplace. These factors combined affect both a worker’s well-being and a company’s overall performance.
To understand these risks more clearly, the report suggests looking at three distinct levels of the working environment. It begins with the nature of the job itself, which includes responsibilities, whether tasks match a worker’s skills, and if the work provides a sense of meaning. The second level focuses on organisation and management, covering role clarity, independence, workload, and the level of support provided by supervisors.
Another is the broader workplace policies, such as working hours, digital monitoring, pay systems, and procedures to prevent violence, form the third level of influence.
The ILO emphasises that these risks can be prevented by addressing their root causes at an organisational level and including workers in the decision-making process.
The calculation of 840,000 annual deaths was reached by combining global data on the prevalence of five major risks which are job strain, effort-reward imbalance, job insecurity, long hours, and harassment, with scientific research showing how these risks increase the likelihood of heart disease and stroke.
While many of these risks are not new, modern shifts like artificial intelligence, remote work, and digitalisation are rapidly changing the workplace. These changes can worsen existing risks or create new ones, though they also offer opportunities for better flexibility if managed well.
The report concludes that by taking proactive steps, countries and businesses can create healthier workplaces that benefit everyone and build a more resilient global economy.
