Press Release No. 04/2012 IG Metall Calls for Regulation to Protect Against Psychological Hazards at Work

Berlin – IG Metall has called for a regulation to protect against psychological hazards in the workplace. “The goal is to clarify the protective provisions regarding psychological hazards in the workplace and make them binding. That is why it is high time for a regulation to protect against mental health hazards at work—a regulation with specific requirements and binding provisions,” said Hans-Jürgen Urban, executive board member of IG Metall, on Tuesday during the presentation of the yearbook “Gute Arbeit 2012” in Berlin. Urban called on Labor Minister Ursula von der Leyen to begin discussions as soon as possible on how to close the glaring gap in protection against psychological hazards in the workplace. “IG Metall is ready to engage in dialogue with all stakeholders in occupational safety and health and with political decision-makers.”

In many cases, Urban—co-editor of the yearbook—criticized the impression that for many decision-makers, the “public outcry” over burnout serves not as a catalyst but as a substitute for decisive action. Failing to take preventive measures is very costly; investments in health protection are therefore always more cost-effective. According to the Federal Statistical Office, the annual treatment costs for mental health conditions amount to approximately 27 billion euros.

While many sectors have specific requirements for employers regarding how a workplace should be designed and how employees should be protected from hazardous substances or noise, such guidelines are lacking in the area of psychosocial hazards. “That’s why employers often don’t feel any obligation at all,” Urban criticized. As an example of a potential mental health hazard, Urban cited “endless work” in project-based roles. Many employees are rushed from one project to the next. Project timelines overlap. It is precisely among these employees that psychological stress is on the rise. “The issues of work-related stress and burnout are too serious to be merely a short-term source of public concern. We view this issue as a central challenge for the 21st-century workplace,” said Urban.