New pandemic: Workplace stress threatens employee health

Workplace stress threatens employee health

According to the latest figures from the European Commission, about 27% of working Europeans say they suffer from work-related stress almost daily.An unfavorable work environment, which includes factors such as discrimination and inequality, excessive workload, lack of task control and job insecurity, poses a significant risk to employee mental health. From my opinion the percentage in Eastern Europe countries is even high.

According to the World Health Organization depression and anxiety result in the loss of approximately 12 billion working days a year worldwide, equivalent to an economic loss of US$1 trillion a year in reduced productivity.Approximately 15% of working-age adults suffer from some kind of mental disorder, an analysis from 2019 shows.

Stress as a New Norm

“More than half of the employees we surveyed reported a level of above-average stress over the past two weeks,” said Patrick Cohen, CEO of AXA for European markets.

In 2024, there was a significant increase in hospitalization due to mental health problems. They already account for 27% of all sick leave, an increase of 4% from a year ago. In France, mental health is already the leading cause of long-term hospital absences.

The main symptoms that employees describe are familiar, but no less distressing: insomnia, difficulty concentrating, headache, muscle tension and decision-making difficulties. This doesn’t just affect productivity, it also undermines the resilience of entire teams and organizations.It seems that burnout is now a normal thing in the work of many people, and it is surprising that health organizations around the world do not sanction those companies where this happens.

Disconnect between expectations and reality

Despite the seriousness of the problem, employers often do not offer adequate support. Only 47 percent of the study participants said there were specific mental health policies in their company. And 52% want such support, but they don’t get it.

I assume that all this is familiar to you. You feel it on yourself. But do you feel protected? I am almost sure that there are countries in Europe where workers are not protected. Moreover – no one cares about the mental health of their employees. The goal has always been only one – to make as much money as possible as long as possible, and until the workers go crazy or something changes in the laws for the protection of workers.

The companies for which the mental health or in general the health of their employees, are too numerous to be listed in this humble blog. But if you are reading this you probably feel it on yourself. There are governments in Europe that are already subordinate to powerful corporations, and would do nothing to protect their citizens. These are the famous puppet governments that abound in Europe.

Major corporations tend to believe that partially covering their employees’ health insurance premiums suffices, and the remainder seems not to be their concern. Moreover, they often tacitly obscure instances of excessive workload and stress-induced fatalities. The proportion of the workforce falling ill due to job-related pressures is also a closely guarded industry secret.

Indeed, many employees are often left with no other alternative but to launch legal action on their own accord. This is primarily due to the lack of robust worker protection bodies in various nations, or their lackadaisical operation. Corroborating a direct link between an ailment and work environment, however, poses a significant challenge.

Corporations have cleverly safeguarded themselves against potential litigation by employing binding confidentiality agreements. Consequently, making it near impossible for an employee to legitimately assert their rights. This manipulative strategy ensures a legally sound shelter for corporations ensuring they rarely face repercussions for their negligent actions.

For this goal to be realized, it is imperative that the governing bodies of the respective nations take action. Yet, it is disheartening to know that they are unlikely to do so, their motivations skewed by the benefits they receive from these corporations’ presence in their countries. This portrayal may seem bleak, with an air of despondency. Nevertheless, we aren’t entirely helpless; we possess the power to resist.

First and foremost, it is crucial not to adopt an attitude of indifference towards these corporations that exploit and profit from us. Push back against them and refuse to accept every proposal they impose upon you. As individuals, we may be overwhelmed, but collectively, we stand strong. Contrary to their threats of replacing us with Artificial Intelligence, they cannot function without our labor.

It is high time that we challenge their tyranny. Resign collectively, making a colossal statement to wake them from their complacency. Don’t hesitate to lodge lawsuits against unjust employers. These massive corporations are terrified of public dissent, which can shatter their reputation and cost them millions. In comparison, your risk only extends to the loss of an inconsequential salary.

Stand up, and don’t let these corporations step over you. Let’s show them that we are more than just cogs in their well-oiled machine. We are the engine that keeps them running.

As of 2025, the situation has deteriorated significantly. Major corporations are fervently striving to maximize their profits, largely driven by stiff competition from China and its Greed. Regrettably, in this pursuit of financial gain, they seem to have turned a blind eye to the well-being of their local employees. This trend is deeply troubling and needs to be urgently curtailed!

Stay smart , and refuse to work in the corporations where the stress is a new norm!

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