In Sweden, threats and violence has become a serious psychosocial work environment problem within the workplaces of health and social care. Several studies show the need to pay attention to how the workers psychosocial work environment is affected by the risk of threats and violence. Women are more exposed of threats and violence because the professions were most women work, the threats and violence occur. The purpose of this study is to investigate what legal obligations the employer holds to prevent threats and violence in the working environment and what consequences it can have if the employer does not fulfill these obligations. For a deeper knowledge in threats and violence as a psychosocial work environment problem other factors that can affect are included. To fulfill the purpose and answer the research questions in this study the doctrinal method is used to describe, systematize and interpret the legislation, case law and literature.   The results of this study show that the legal actions that the employer is obliged to take is far-reaching. The preventive work is central considering the psychosocial work environment were threats and violence occur. If the employer fails to take the actions that is obliged there are different legal consequences depending on what type of actions the employer, deliberately or accidently, failed to take. Due to the extent of threats and violence in health and social care and some differences in the formulation of the legislation, future studies would be required to investigate if the legislation on this matter is enough.

Abstract The mental illness has increased sharply in the recent years and the focus on the psychosocial work environment has become more and more important. Today, the physical working environment is not the only thing that matters, the psychosocial work environment has taken more space and become a part of the labor environment law. The purpose of this work is to see how the concept of psychosocial environment law and mental health is regulated and worked with in the municipality of Jönköping, to gain a better understanding of how legal texts and rules apply in working life. Since the work is based on the regulations of Arbetsmiljöverket, the legal methodology is used to the greatest extent. The method is very similar to the traditional legal dogmatic method but provides little room for analysis. However, the legal sociological method will also be used to investigate what psychosocial work environment impact the employees. Psychosocial labour environment is very important for workers not to suffer from ill health. Various factors enter the psychosocial work environment that can contribute to psychological ill health. Stress, demands and uncomfortable working hours are just a few. The concept of psychosocial work environment is now included in the labour environment law and its regulations. There is, however, no indicative case law in this area. More research and more knowledge in the psychosocial labour environment is required for mental health to stop increase. Unfortunately, it is difficult to make the law more general, since each case in mental health is unique.