MODERN TRENDS OF LEGAL REGULATION FOR COMBATING PSYCHOSOCIAL RISKS AT WORK: EXPERIENCE OF THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANIZATION AND THE EUROPEAN UNION

Abstract

Background. The article examines international standards, policies, and practices supporting mental health at the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the European Union (EU) levels. Protecting workers from psychosocial risks is integral to the right to safe working conditions and a cornerstone of decent work. However, international standards and policies remain insufficiently specific and effective, with research on the impact of psychosocial factors on mental health gaining momentum only in the last decade. Considering the mutual influence of workplace conditions on employees' mental health and vice versa, the workplace can and should become a vital hub for promoting psychological well-being.

Methods. The study employs a range of scientific research methods. The comparative-legal method analyzes ILO and EU regulations governing workplace safety and health. The dialectical method explores the evolution of combating psychosocial risks and identifies overarching trends. The formal logical method evaluates the consistency and alignment of international standards with their intended goals.

Results. The ILO and EU acts related to occupational safety and recent strategies aimed at mental health support have been analyzed. Emphasis is placed on the importance of developing and adopting national programs to strengthen mental health in the workplace, including in Ukraine. The impact of organizational working conditions, management methods, the absence of violence, workplace safety, and employees' mental well-being has been determined. The legislation on occupational safety in certain EU member states has been examined, and common features and trends in the legal regulation of combating psychosocial risks that Ukraine could use to improve its labour legislation have been identified. The special role of educational activities in promoting a culture of workplace safety and health has been established.

Conclusions. The complexity of addressing psychosocial risks compared to traditional hazards leads to general legislative requirements, complicating their application and oversight by labour inspections. This underscores the need for further interdisciplinary research in this area. Despite varying levels of normative regulation, mental health is increasingly regarded at the ILO and EU levels as a fundamental aspect of occupational safety management. The study underscores the need for a unified international legal framework detailing key approaches to understanding psychosocial factors and implementing measures to mitigate their impact.