A groundbreaking report from the European Trade Union Institute (ETUI) has, for the first time, put a price tag on the economic toll of work-related stress across the European Union, estimating it at over €100bn (US$105bn) annually.

The study, titled 'Work-related stress and cardiovascular diseases', highlights the staggering financial and human costs of workplace stress, linking it to cardiovascular diseases and mental health disorders like depression.

The ETUI report reveals that work-related stress contributes significantly to cardiovascular diseases, which account for a substantial portion of the €100 billion cost. These expenses stem from healthcare costs, lost productivity, and absenteeism due to stress-induced illnesses. The study also underscores the mental health impact, with depression caused by workplace stress adding to the economic strain.

In 2015 alone, the report estimates that more than 10,000 workers died, and over 400,000 years of life were lost due to cardiovascular diseases and depression caused by work-related psychosocial risks. “These are preventable deaths,” said Dimitra Theodori, Head of Health and Safety at ETUI. “We urgently need to redesign work environments to protect both mental and physical health.”

The report identifies significant variations in stress levels across EU member states, with countries like Poland reporting higher rates of workplace stress compared to nations such as the Netherlands and Switzerland. France, Belgium, Finland, Ireland and the Netherlands rank among the five countries most affected in terms of cost per 100,000 workers. The cost of depression attributable to all five PWEs is for instance 2.2 times higher in the Netherlands than in Poland per 100,000 workers, or 2.3 times higher in France than in Portugal.

Women workers are disproportionately affected by psychosocial risks such as excessive working hours, job uncertainty, and workplace bullying.

A Call for Action

The ETUI urges employers and EU institutions to treat work-related stress as an organisational issue requiring collective action. The report advocates for stronger workplace policies, including better stress management programmes, improved working conditions, and greater support for mental health. It also calls for regulatory measures to hold employers accountable for mitigating stress-related risks.

“While workplace fatalities have decreased over the years, the toll of psychosocial risks continues to rise—often invisible, yet devastating. It's time to treat mental well-being as a fundamental workplace right,” said Theodori.

The sentiment is echoed in the ETUI’s recommendations, which emphasize collaboration between employers, unions, and policymakers to reduce the burden of stress.

Broader Implications

The report’s release comes amid growing concern over workplace wellbeing in the EU, with 51% of workers reporting that stress is common in their workplaces and 40% believing it is poorly managed, according to EU-OSHA data. The ETUI’s findings align with these concerns, warning that unaddressed stress could undermine efforts to build resilient and sustainable economies.

Social media discussions on platforms like X have amplified the report’s impact, with users highlighting the €100 billion figure as evidence of systemic workplace issues. Posts describe the cost as a reflection of “conditions that make people stressed or unhappy at work,” urging political action to address deteriorating work environments.

The International Code Council (ICC) has launched the 45th edition of its annual Building Safety Month campaign this May, aiming to raise awareness about the importance of safe and sustainable construction practices worldwide.

The campaign underscores the critical role of modern, consistently updated building codes in ensuring structural safety and resilience.

Running throughout the month, the initiative seeks to enhance understanding of the key elements and professionals that contribute to safe building practices.

This year’s theme, “Game On!”, is a call to action, urging individuals, businesses, and communities to engage in strengthening building safety through education and active participation.

From schools and worksites to city halls and job sites, the campaign promotes local involvement—especially in fast-developing regions such as the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, where urban growth heightens the need for robust regulatory frameworks.

The ICC’s growing presence in the GCC region reflects the organisation’s belief in the necessity of enforceable, evolving building codes that keep pace with technological advancements, climate concerns, and population pressures.

This year’s programme also includes the second annual International Building Safety Day (IBSD) on 22 May 2025.

Introduced last year with backing from 28 international organisations, IBSD spotlights the link between building safety and public health, wellbeing, and economic resilience.

It serves as a global reminder to governments, policymakers and industry leaders to keep safety at the forefront of construction practices.

In celebration of Building Safety Month 2025, the International Code Council (ICC) and its global partners will mark the month of May with a series of themed weeks, highlighting the many facets of building safety through official recognitions, public education and community outreach.

Key themes

Building Safety Month 2025 will be marked throughout May with a series of themed weeks aimed at raising awareness about the critical role of building safety in everyday life.

The following weeks explore strategies for strengthening safety frameworks, from advocating for policy improvements to preparing for natural disasters. Professionals who uphold safety standards will be celebrated during the fourth week, while the final week, themed “Going into Overtime”, will examine emerging trends and innovations shaping global resilience. Through these activities, ICC’s campaign aims to foster a broader understanding of modern building practices and inspire ongoing commitment to safety across the built environment.

Mohamed Amer, managing director of ICC MENA, stated, “ICC MENA’s mission has always been to strengthen the safety and integrity of buildings while supporting the region’s extraordinary pace of development. As cities across the GCC continue to grow vertically and technologically, the importance of compliance with unified, robust building codes becomes even more essential, not only to protect lives and property but to drive sustainable and inclusive growth.”

He further added, “Building safety is not a one-time action; it’s a continuous commitment that involves government leaders, private-sector innovators and community stakeholders. Through our advocacy and partnerships, we aim to create a culture of safety that lasts for generations. We are proud to be participating in multiple regional events across the full ecosystem of building safety, and we’re pleased to see growing momentum around both Building Safety Month and IBSD — a timely reminder of the shared responsibility and collective action needed to elevate safety standards across the built environment."

After reporting a 39.5% reduction against baseline (2019) greenhouse gas emissions for 2024, Baker Hughes' chief sustainability officer Allyson Anderson Book said the company's approach "continues to be a key competitive advantage for Baker Hughes, helping us deliver long-term value to all of our stakeholders."

Delivering a 39.5% reduction in scope one and two emissions translated to a 29.3% absolute reduction against the 2019 baseline.

Amidst the more efficient backdrop, 206 perfect HSE days were delivered, with an 11% drop in total recordable incident (TRI) rate. Those figures, reported in Baker Hughes' reflection on 2024, mark the first time the company has ever externally assured such data.

Baker Hughes chairman and CEO Lorenzo Simonelli announced the news. "Our ability to drive economic growth and achieve significant emissions reductions underscores our commitment to sustainable energy development... by focusing on increasing efficiencies and integrating sustainability into our corporate strategy, we also enable our customers to meet their emissions targets."