제 목 : EU Begins to Recognize Stress as Issue
일 자 : 1997년 09월
제공처 : Safety + health(EU Update)
Recent European-wide studies show that employees in several northern
European countries have reported high workplace stress levels.
Company management and authorities have been giving the issue more
attention despite variations in definitions and ranking of importance
among member states.
In response, the European Commission's tripartite occupational
health advisory committee has prepared an "opinion" on stress. Susan
Mawer from the commissionr emphasizes that existing European
Laws already require employers to intervene and deal with organization
and work environment factors that are potential sources of stress.
However, member states' definitions of stress vary and may need to be
harmonized through an EU-level guideline which could follow the
opinion, she says, Exactly how stress is defined, remains
controversiaI. It can be difficult to isolate single causes of stress,
yet it contribures to injuries, particularly musculoskeletal disorders,
says Mawer.
After long debate, the committee came up with a working definition.
Work-related stress is the emotional and psychophysiological
reaction to aversive and noxious aspects of Work, the work environment
and work organization. It is a state characterized by high levels of
arousal and distress and often by feelings of not coping.
"Although individuals may contribute to the stress they are feel-
ing," says Mawer, "there are certain aspects of stress created by work
that can be managed and are not a sign of individual weakness."
The document also emphasizes a preventive approach rather than coping
strategies, says Mawer. "It is a recognition that stress is an issue at
the European level and should be dealt with through a preventive man-
agement approach that looks at the organization, rather than sending
people on courses to learn how to relax."
Interventions to reduce stress are still being developed, says Mawer,
and until general agreement is reached across Europe about what
stress is and what strategies work, general guidelines are more appro-
priate than detailed legislation.
The full text of the opinion will be published later in 1997 by the
commision.
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