FERMA named official partner in European-wide campaign to manage stress at work

The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OHSA) has named FERMA an official partner in its 2014-5 campaign to manage workplace stress.  

There are currently more than 60 partners, including FERMA, in the healthy workplaces manage stress campaign.

They come from a variety of sectors across Europe and include employers’ and workers’ federations, technology platforms, non-governmental organisations and multinational companies. EU-OSHA’s director, Dr Christa Sedlatschek, explained that the diverse range of official campaign partners is crucial to the campaign’s success.

Stress is the second most frequently reported work-related health problem in Europe, and it is believed to cause more than half of all lost working days.

FERMA executive director Florence Bindelle said: “As in previous years, FERMA is pleased to have been selected among the partners of the EU-OSHA campaign to improve workplace health and safety. We are aware of the positive effects that tackling psychosocial risks can have on overall business performance, particularly long-term sustainability and social responsibility. Some FERMA members have launched initiatives to work closely with human resources directors to define risk indicators.”  

A statement from EU-OHSA added: “Our official partners are a committed group of European leaders in managing work-related stress and will help spread the campaign’s message that psychosocial risks can be managed in the same practical, systematic way as any other occupational safety and health risk. Their input is essential for coordinating the campaign on the shop floor across sectors and geographies,” said a statement from EU-OHSA.