The psychological wellbeing of workers is establishing itself as a pillar for corporate progress and success, directly influencing productivity, creativity, talent retention, and workplace safety. In this context, ISO 45003 marks a turning point, underscoring the need to integrate psychosocial risks into the corporate risk assessment.
What are psychosocial risks and why invest in workplace psychological wellbeing
Psychosocial risks encompass all working conditions associated with how the organisation is managed, how work is designed, and the working environment that can potentially cause psychological, physical, and social harm to workers. Assessing them is crucial because they can affect an individual’s ability to perform work effectively and safely, with potential consequences not only for psychological wellbeing but also for physical safety and overall organisational performance. Integrating psychosocial risk assessment means proactively identifying and managing factors such as organisational culture, work practices, and environmental conditions that can lead to work-related stress and other mental and physical health problems. This not only meets the requirements of ISO 45003 but also establishes a working environment where safety and wellbeing are priorities. Promoting mental resilience and providing psychological support helps create a corporate culture where accident prevention and mental health protection are integrated, fostering a safe working environment and greater attention to interpersonal and organisational dynamics. Investing in psychological wellbeing is a genuine investment for companies, which see improvements in internal cohesion, reduced absences and turnover, and a more positive working environment. Health at work, as defined by the World Health Organisation and reiterated in Legislative Decree 81/2008, encompasses physical, mental, and social wellbeing, requiring companies to treat psychological wellbeing as an integral part of their policies.
The importance of adopting ISO 45003
Adopting ISO 45003 gives companies tools for managing psychosocial risks, representing a concrete commitment to creating a safe and stimulating working environment. This culture of wellbeing is also strategic for attracting and retaining talent in a competitive market. From an economic standpoint, preventing psychosocial risks and psychological distress helps contain costs that significantly affect national GDP. The World Health Organisation has estimated the annual loss of 12 billion working days due to conditions such as anxiety and depression, prompting reflection on the real economic impact on businesses, estimated at approximately USD 1 trillion. Building a corporate culture based on respect and inclusion improves reputation, increases resilience, and strengthens the ability to face market challenges. Investing in psychological health therefore means promoting health and safety, increasing productivity, creativity, and worker loyalty, reducing absences and turnover, and creating a more cohesive and positive working environment. Corporate social responsibility is also enriched when a company takes the psychological health of its workers seriously, contributing to community wellbeing and strengthening its social role. The growing awareness of the value of mental wellbeing, together with standards such as ISO 45003, is guiding companies towards a future of work centred on valuing human capital and the overall wellbeing of workers.
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CHIARA DI CREDICO
Head of CEPER’s psychological and behavioural services. Responsible for promoting services aimed at fostering the health and wellbeing of all corporate functions, supporting the development of a safe and positive working environment. Graduated in Clinical, Developmental, and Neuropsychology from the University of Milano-Bicocca, registered with the Order of Psychologists of Lombardy (03/15304). Holds a PhD in Human Sciences from The University of Western Australia, Perth.
Since 2012, has provided expertise as a consultant and trainer in health and safety.