Panteia Workshop "Mental health and well-being in the Digital work of work post COVID-19"

Panteia is happy to communicate that on Thursday, December  2, 2021, 9.00-11.00 AM, a workshop on “Mental health and well-being in the Digital work of work post COVID-19” will be delivered. This initiative has been requested by the European Parliament (EP) committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) in the context of assessing the potential psychosocial risk which are increasing in the current remote working era. A tailored team of experts will provide input to Members of European Parliament for further EU level action in light of the new EU strategic framework on health and safety at work 2021-2027.

All information and background documents are available here.

You can access the Workshop (as a viewer) with this link. 

The meeting will also be available as a web stream.

The workshop will address the following four key topics:

• The cost of poor mental health and cost of inaction (Lode Godderis- KU Leuven)

During the Pandemic, research has proven that the scale of mental health problems and behavioural disorders have significantly increased. Therefore, it is fundamental to assess the cost benefit and work productivity analysis in regard to mental health and well being at the workplace. 

• Digitalization in the world of work - advantages and disadvantages (Andrea Broughton- Ecorys)

New digital working forms have developed via the reinforced use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) and new management systems. The extension to telework gave rise to positive implications such as more autonomy and flexibility; as well as negative implications such as “technostress”, social isolation and work overload. These challenges have been particularly affecting identified vulnerable groups such as children, people with disabilities or elderly.

• Innovatives and practical ways to create a resilient workplace (Kees Peereboom- vhp human performance)

ICT-based work and hybrid working methods raised the need for employers to strengthen resilience at work. Innovative and practical means have been provided, aiming to mitigate the drawbacks of digitalisation such as organization and communication or productivity measurement mechanism. Building on such guidelines, corporate-level practices have been identified aiming to mitigate psychosocial risk such as emotional distress and social isolation. Those, have a particular focus on mental-health/safety support and well-being activities outside the working spheres.

• The role of legislation and funding at the EU national level (Lois Lerouge – CNRS, University of Bordeaux)

Pre-pandemic different set legislations and founding programs have addressed the portion of work-life balance - including for teleworkers. In light of the increasing emancipation of digitalization, further legislative development have occurred such as the EP Resolution on the Right to disconnect as a new worker’s fundamental right.