[EU] MEPs seek new law to protect workers’ mental and physical health

The EU Committee on Employment and Social Affairs has called on the European Commission to draft a law to protect workers from work-related psychosocial risks and stress at work.

On September 2, MEPs agreed on a series of recommendations for a new EU bill to ensure minimum requirements to prevent, eliminate or reduce work-related psychosocial risks which could lead to work-related stress, burnout, and mental and physical disorders. 

The proposal will be preceded by an impact assessment, including a look at existing legislation.

Among MEPs’ demands are binding obligations for employers to protect mental and physical health and to ensure safe and dignified working conditions. In addition, they reportedly want the Commission and EU countries to explicitly recognise that work-related psychosocial risks give rise to occupational diseases.

The request for a legislative initiative was adopted by 41 votes in favour and 12 votes against, with 4 abstentions.

Rapporteur Estelle Ceulemans said, “This report represents a step forward, as it asks the European Commission for a legislative proposal to tackle burnout, depression, stress, and harassment. The prevalence of these issues is skyrocketing across Europe and are exacerbated by the increasing use of digital technologies and AI in the workplace. 

Addressing these structural work-related problems is not only an occupational health obligation but also an economic issue, costing €100 billion annually for work-related depression in the EU."

Parliament is reportedly expected to vote on this legislative initiative during its October 2026 plenary session. The Commission will then have three months to reply, by informing Parliament of the steps it plans to take or by giving reasons for any refusal to propose a legislative initiative along the lines of Parliament’s request.

Source: European Parliament

(Link and quote via original reporting)

The EU Committee on Employment and Social Affairs has called on the European Commission to draft a law to protect workers from work-related psychosocial risks and stress at work.

On September 2, MEPs agreed on a series of recommendations for a new EU bill to ensure minimum requirements to prevent, eliminate or reduce work-related psychosocial risks which could lead to work-related stress, burnout, and mental and physical disorders. 

The proposal will be preceded by an impact assessment, including a look at existing legislation.

Among MEPs’ demands are binding obligations for employers to protect mental and physical health and to ensure safe and dignified working conditions. In addition, they reportedly want the Commission and EU countries to explicitly recognise that work-related psychosocial risks give rise to occupational diseases.

The request for a legislative initiative was adopted by 41 votes in favour and 12 votes against, with 4 abstentions.

Rapporteur Estelle Ceulemans said, “This report represents a step forward, as it asks the European Commission for a legislative proposal to tackle burnout, depression, stress, and harassment. The prevalence of these issues is skyrocketing across Europe and are exacerbated by the increasing use of digital technologies and AI in the workplace. 

Addressing these structural work-related problems is not only an occupational health obligation but also an economic issue, costing €100 billion annually for work-related depression in the EU."

Parliament is reportedly expected to vote on this legislative initiative during its October 2026 plenary session. The Commission will then have three months to reply, by informing Parliament of the steps it plans to take or by giving reasons for any refusal to propose a legislative initiative along the lines of Parliament’s request.

Source: European Parliament

(Link and quote via original reporting)