What is the proportion of persons in employment who are exposed to mental strain at work? The data are based on the respondents’ self-assessment but not on medical diagnoses.
Health risks at work are not only a matter of accidents, poison or other physical strain. The job itself may also be perceived as physical or mental strain, by working environment, time pressure or negative impacts.
One in four employee feels exposed to mental strain that impair well-being
In 2020, 25% of persons employed feel mental strain. It is to consider that Covid-19 can have possible impacts on well-being in working and professional life. In terms of occupational groups, managers, scientists, technicains and associate professionals feel more burdened than average, at over 30% in each case. The least burdened are employed in craft trades (19%) and auxiliar elementary occupations (14%).
Time pressure an work overload have the most impact on mental well-being
In 2020, 14% of employed persons were stressed in their well-being mostly by time pressure and work overload. The second most common impact was interaction with difficult clients, patients or pupils with 5%. Lack of communication or cooperation within the organisation was appointed by 3%. Other impacts on mental strain were less pronounced.
| / = No response, because numerical value is not reliable enough Source: Labour Force Survey (Ad hoc module, 2020). | |
| Time pressure or work overload | 14 |
| Having to deal with difficult clients, patients or pupils etc. | 5 |
| Poor communication or cooperation in intra-organization | 3 |
| Job insecurity | 1 |
| Harassment or bullying | 1 |
| Lack of autonomy or no influence on working speed or process | 1 |
| Other major risk | 1 |
| Violence or thread of violence | / |
Information on the Indicator
Description or definition
Percentage of employed (aged from 15 to 74) who have made a statement about mental stress at work in all persons in employment (aged from 15 to 74).
Questions were asked about the strain with the greatest impact on well-being.
Source
Labour Force Survey (ad hoc module 2020).
Information for interpretation
The results are based on a self-assessment of the respondents.
The microcensus with the integrated European labour force survey has been redesigned in 2020. The list of questions and the concept of the sample survey were modified, and with the introduction of an online questionnaire, the form of data collection were also changed. The results from survey year 2020 onward are therefore comparable with those of previous years only to a limited extent. These changes and restrictions affect also the ad-hoc-modul.
For more information please refer to Methods: Quality Reports and Explanations (only in German).
Further information
Redesigned microcensus as of 2020
EU Labour Force Survey 2020, Assessment Report