The UK lags behind Europe on protection against work-related stress risks

The TUC has challenged the UK government to keep pace with the EU on workers’ rights, and says the UK is already at “real risk” of falling behind its European counterparts. Directives passed before the UK left the EU, which the UK government has not implemented, include:

• the Work–Life Balance Directive, which gives all workers the right to request flexible work; and

• the Transparent and Predictable Working Conditions Directive, which gives workers predictability of hours for zero hours contracts.

The EU is also considering a right to disconnect, which would grant workers the right to digitally disconnect from work without facing negative repercussions (see pages 53-54).

The EU strategic framework on health and safety at work 2021–2027 includes a focus on psycho-social risks. The framework includes a project to address adverse mental health effects due to the Covid pandemic among essential workers in the care and health sectors.