Social and demographic factors in shaping the perception of work as a source of health and safety risks: a study on adult Europeans

Abstract

The aim of this article is to assess the impact of selected social and demographic factors on the perception of European adults regarding their workplace as a health and safety risk. This aligns with the sustainable development concept, which emphasizes labor rights protection and a safe working environment. Sustainable work is defined as work that doesn't compromise employees' physical or mental health over time. Utilizing data from the 2021 European Working Conditions Survey, which covered over 70,000 individuals across 36 countries and was conducted via CATI due to the pandemic, the study employs logistic regression. It analyzes three models: one encompassing all European countries, and two focusing on Eastern and Central European countries. The findings demonstrate that factors such as company size, age, occupational group, sector, employment nature, gender, service length, and education significantly influence workplace risk perception. International comparisons highlight differences in these factors across country groups, contributing to the scientific discussion in social sciences.