At least 840,000 people die each year from health conditions linked to work-related risks, according to a new International Labour Organisation (ILO) report.
The study identifies long working hours, job insecurity, workplace harassment, and bullying as key hazards. It emphasizes that how jobs are designed, organized, and managed significantly affects workers’ health and safety.
Titled “The Psychosocial Working Environment: Global Developments and Pathways for Action”, the report links these risks to rising rates of cardiovascular disease and mental disorders, including suicide. Researchers analyzed job demands, responsibilities, organization, management practices, and workplace policies, including performance and reward systems and rules against harassment.
By combining global risk data with mortality statistics from the World Health Organization and the Global Burden of Disease study, the ILO estimated 840,000 deaths annually.
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The report warns that workplace transformations—such as digitalization, AI, remote work, and new job arrangements—could worsen these risks if not managed properly.
“Psychosocial risks are among the most significant challenges for occupational safety and health today,” said Manal Azzi, ILO Team Lead on OSH Policy and Systems. “Addressing these risks protects workers’ health, boosts productivity, and strengthens economic resilience.”
The ILO stresses that proactive risk management, integrated into occupational safety systems and supported by social dialogue, can prevent many of these deaths while creating healthier, more productive workplaces.
