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  • Page | Last updated: 07 May 2021

Psychosocial hazards and work-related stress

Health Promotion Knowledge Gateway

Stressful characteristics of work (psychosocial hazards)

Source: Eurofound (2010)(pdf)

Reproduced from Cox (2000) - EU OSHA

Category: Content of work Conditions defining hazard
Work environment and work equipment Problems regarding the reliability, availability, suitability and maintenance or repair of both equipment and facilities
Task design Lack of variety or short work cycles, fragmented or meaningless work, underuse of skills, high uncertainty
Workload/ work pace Work overload or underload, lack of control over pacing, high levels of time pressure
Work schedule Shift working, inflexible work schedules, unpredictable hours, long or unsocial hours

 

Category: Context of work Conditions defining hazard
Organisational culture and function Poor communication, low levels of support for problem-solving and personal development, lack of definition of organisational objectives
Role in organisation Role ambiguity and role conflict, responsibility for people
Career development Career stagnation and uncertainty, under-promotion or over-promotion, poor pay, job insecurity, low social value of work
Decision latitude/ Control Low participation in decision-making, lack of control over work (control, particularly in the form of participation, is also a contextual and wider organisational issue)
Interpersonal relationships at work Social or physical isolation, poor relationships with superiors, interpersonal conflict, lack of social support
Home-work interface Conflicting demands of work and home, low support at home, dual career problems