Priority areas

The health and social care sector is crucial to European society. Taking care of workers’ A state of well-being in which the individual realises his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community. in this sector helps them take care of citizens’ overall health and wellbeing.

• Half of the workers in the sector are exposed to severe time pressure or overload at work.
• 21% lack autonomy or lack influence over their work-pace or work processes.
• 25% are exposed to violence or verbal abuse from patients and relatives.
• 12% are exposed to harassment and bullying.
• 41% lack rewards for all the efforts they put in their job.
• In total, 31% of health and social care workers experience stress, is a common mental disorder. It involves a depressed mood or loss of pleasure or interest in activities for long periods of time. Depression is different from regular mood changes and feelings about everyday life. (Depression is also known as "depressive disorder"). or anxiety caused or worsened by work (OSH Pulse, 2025). 

Compared to other sectors - and for all the Negative aspects of psychosocial factors that may adversely affect workers' health and other organisational outcomes, for example low autonomy or poor social support. and health outcomes just mentioned - the health and social care sector is the most affected one.

Find out more about this topic, check the information below.