Knowledge in this area in industrialized countries is a result of the accumulation of data consistently pointing to the high prevalence of these issues in the modern workplace. In Europe, for example, the fourth European Working Conditions Survey [13] found that from a sample of 21 000 workers, 28–29% reported that work-related stress affected their health. Mental health problems and stress-related disorders are the biggest overall cause of early death and overall health concern in Europe [14]. In 2001, the European Council of Ministers concluded that “stress and depression related problems […] are of major importance […] and significant contributors to the burden of disease and the loss of quality of life within the European Union”. They underlined that such problems are ‘common, cause human suffering and disability, increase the risk of social exclusion, increase mortality and have negative implications for national economies’. Subsequent action by the European Social Partners resulted in two framework agreements on work-related stress [15] and on harassment and violence at work [16].