Sweden, Swedish Agency for Work Environment Expertise (2024), Work-related stress and ill health – on the connection between exposure and ethnic origin, skin color, and religion, 3 July 2024.

Country

Sweden

Title

Sweden, Swedish Agency for Work Environment Expertise (2024), Work-related stress and ill health – on the connection between exposure and ethnic origin, skin color, and religion, 3 July 2024.

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Year

2024

Publication type

Survey evidence/report

Geographical coverage

National

Area/location of interest

Not applicable - national level

Type of Institution

Public authority

Institution

Sweden, Swedish Agency for Work Environment Expertise (Myndigheten för arbetsmiljökunskap)

Thematic focus

Discrimination

Groups

General population

Key findings

The results of the literature review, the survey study, and the interview study show that there is a particular vulnerability to work-related stress connected with ethnic origin and religion in the Swedish labor market, and that this vulnerability is also linked to increased risks of work-related ill health. The results from the survey study indicate that individuals with backgrounds from Africa and the Middle East are particularly exposed to work-related stress and ill health. The results also show that there is specific vulnerability in the workplace for individuals with religious affiliations other than Christianity. The survey shows that these individuals report higher levels of bullying, negative differential treatment, and religious discrimination at their workplace compared to individuals who identify as Christian.

Methodology (Qualitative/Quantitative and exact type used, questionnaires etc)

Qualitative: the report consists of a literature review of Swedish and international research, as well as reports and documents from other authorities; a survey conducted to contribute new knowledge and to complement and expand what was found in the literature review; and an interview study aimed at gathering knowledge and experiences from civil society organizations, labor market actors, and representatives of organizations and companies that work consultatively on discrimination and equality.

Sample details and representativeness

The survey company Novus conducted the survey study. Through Novus's Sweden panel, which is composed to be representative of the Swedish population, a total of 4,753 individuals were asked to participate in the study. The analyses are based on responses from 2,864 individuals, corresponding to a response rate of approximately 60 percent. To ensure a sufficiently large sample of individuals with a background other than the normative Swedish background, additional invitations were sent to members of Novus's Sweden panel who indicated that they have a non-European background. To participate in the survey, individuals had to be between 18 and 65 years old and have work as their primary occupation.

DISCLAIMERThe information presented here is collected under contract by the FRA's research network FRANET. The information and views contained do not necessarily reflect the views or the official position of the FRA.