Psychosocial Workload (PSA).
How one feels at work affects not only performance and functioning in general, but also health. If working conditions are not good, work stress can occur. Consider contact with colleagues and psychological pressure.
Factors that can cause PSA and therefore potentially work stress are:
- Aggressiveness and violence
- Discrimination
- Bullying behavior
- Sexual harassment
- Excessive workload
Subsequently, this can lead to health problems, absenteeism, and eventually long-term disability. When dealing with PSA, the step back to work is especially difficult. An unpleasant situation for the employee, and costly for the employer.
What can you do about PSA?
All employers are required to establish a policy against PSA. If you don't, the SZW inspectorate can take action resulting in heavy fines. This is because it is stated in the Occupational Health and Safety Act that a PSA policy is mandatory.
A PSA policy is developed on the basis of a Risk Inventory & Evaluation (RI&E). This describes possible situations in which employees may be affected by PSA. You then find out why these situations may arise, and draw up an Action Plan with measures. It is important to evaluate over time whether these help.
Measures against PSA may include, for example:
- Preventing an excessive workload
- Codes of conduct and a grievance procedure
- Have workload surveys conducted
- Educate your employees about PSA
- Designating a confidant
