제  목 : EU Begins to Recognize Stress as Issue
  일  자 : 1997년 09월
  제공처 : Safety + health(EU Update)

     Recent European-wide studies show that employees in several northern
    European countries have reported high workplace stress levels.
    Company management and authorities have been giving the issue more
    attention despite variations in definitions and ranking of importance
    among member states.

     In response, the European Commission's tripartite occupational
    health advisory committee has prepared an "opinion" on stress. Susan
    Mawer from the commissionr emphasizes that existing European
    Laws already require employers to intervene and deal with organization
    and work environment factors  that are potential sources of stress.

     However, member states' definitions  of stress vary and may need to be
    harmonized through an EU-level  guideline which could follow the
    opinion, she says,  Exactly how stress is defined, remains
    controversiaI. It can be difficult to isolate single causes of stress,
    yet it contribures to injuries, particularly musculoskeletal disorders,
    says Mawer.

      After long debate, the committee came up with a working definition.
    Work-related stress is the emotional and psychophysiological
    reaction to aversive and noxious aspects of Work, the work environment
    and work organization. It is a state characterized by high levels of
    arousal and distress and often by feelings of not coping.

      "Although individuals may contribute to the stress they are feel-
    ing," says Mawer, "there are certain aspects of stress created by work
    that can be managed and are not a sign of individual weakness."

     The document also emphasizes a  preventive approach rather than coping
    strategies, says Mawer. "It is a recognition that stress is an issue at
    the European level and should be dealt with through a preventive man-
    agement approach that looks at the organization, rather than sending
    people on courses to learn how to  relax."

     Interventions to reduce stress are still being developed, says Mawer,
    and until general agreement is reached across Europe about what
    stress is and what strategies work, general guidelines are more appro-
    priate than detailed legislation.

     The full text of the opinion will be published later in 1997 by the
    commision.