• Development of the overview of psychosocial risk management approaches and best practice in Europe
• Defining of the guiding principles and key elements of the European framework for psychosocial risk management.
   

This stage served as the basis for the development of all subsequent work. It also provided the basis for the integration of the subsequent work packages.

Phase II

Phase II was completed within a year (June 2007 –May 2008), it focused on:

• Analysing social policies, legislatory frameworks and associated infrastructure and guidance across Europe in relation to psychosocial risk management, work-related stress and violence and harassment at work (including bullying and mobbing)
• Analysing stakeholder perceptions of psychosocial risks across the enlarged EU
• Developing recommendations and guidance on social dialogue and key stakeholder involvement in the management of psychosocial issues at work
• Analysing the relationship of corporate social responsibility with occupational health and safety issues
• Developing key indicators of social dialogue and corporate social responsibility in relation to psychosocial issues
• Analysis of available methodologies to evaluate the prevalence and impact of psychosocial risks at work and work-related stress
• Identifying appropriate means of collecting sensitive data in relation to these issues
• Developing international standards and indicators on stress and violence at work
• Developing cost benefit analysis methods that can be incorporated in the assessment of the impact of psychosocial risks, work-related stress and violence and harassment at work

This phase focused finally on the comprehensive review and analysis of case studies of evidence-based, best practice interventions in different occupational sectors, worker groups, enterprise sizes and European countries. Practical intervention tools and methods for use at the enterprise level, with a special emphasis on SMEs, were identified and criteria for evidence-based evaluation of interventions defined.

Phase III

Phase III, Framework Validation & Production of Guidance and Recommendations, lasted four months (June 2008 – September 2008). The activities during this phase resulted in the validation of the European framework for psychosocial risk management. Further activities included:

• Development of detailed recommendations and evidence-based best-practice guidance on the management of psychosocial risks, work-related stress and violence and harassment issues at the workplace.
• Analysis of key issues relating to the implementation of best practice in the context of different enterprises and in particular SMEs
• Development of guidelines for: employers; employees; trade unions; occupational health physicians; general practitioners; other applied occupational health and safety professionals (such as occupational health psychologists)

Phase IV

Phase IV, Dissemination, lasted four months (September 2008 – December 2008). During this phase a book and a brochure that presented the work carried out through this project were published and disseminated through the WHO.

• The book contains platform documentation, analysis and recommendations as an initial tool to raise awareness in relation to psychosocial risk management, work-related stress and violence and harassment issues at work. It also presents all the outcomes of the project.
• The WHO brochure presents a synopsis of the book and has been written in a style for easy use at the enterprise level.

          Other dissemination activities

• Workshops
• Publication of scientific papers
• Presentations at scientific conferences, to stakeholders and social partners including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
• Dissemination of the outputs through websites of the consortium partners and liaison organisations, the WHO/ILO International Occupational Health and Safety Information Portal, and the WHO Collaborating Centre Network Portal.