The Tasmanian Government has introduced its Australian-first Bill providing presumptive compensation to all public sector workers with PTSD, saying it will consider extending the presumption to more occupational groups, and the laws will reduce the stigma associated with mental health conditions.
Employers providing workers with mindfulness training to combat stress need to ensure leaders are also accessing the program, to get the most out of their investment, icare says. The insurer has also identified a number of steps employers can take to reduce the impact of customer abuse.
Workers often underestimate their ability to bounce back from stress and challenges, but easy self-care steps can help them build confidence and adaptability, a clinical psychologist specialising in trauma-related disorders says.
A journalist's $180,000 post-traumatic stress disorder case, which is likely to transform newsrooms across the country, has detailed steps employers should take to prevent such injuries, including ensuring workers have "immediate" access to employee assistance programs.
A new book focusing on stress, burnout and the high suicide rate among veterinarians has outlined a seven-module "coping and wellbeing program", which includes important lessons for all time-poor or socially isolated workers.
Presumptive workers' compensation for first responders with PTSD and other psychological injuries will be harmonised across all Australian jurisdictions, presuming COAG agrees on recommendations from a national inquiry.
An employer has unsuccessfully argued that it isn't liable for a burnt-out worker's psychological injury because it was caused by his personality traits, including a strong work ethic and high standards.
The costly rise in secondary mental injury claims is one of many indicators that employers need to do more to improve how they deal with mental health and stigma at work, a major workers' comp insurer says.
One in five Australian workers suffer from financial stress and they're more likely to engage in presenteeism and take sick leave, but employers can take simple steps to help workers become "financially well", an AMP director says.
A study of more than 15,000 workers has found that workplace change, especially changes in management, causes a rise in the use of anti-depressant and anti-anxiety drugs among workers.
