There are over 7,200 Australians who are compensated for work-related mental health conditions. This makes up 6% of all worker’s compensation claims. In total, $543 million are paid in workers’ compensation for work-related mental health conditions.

There are risk factors in the workplace which contribute more to deteriorated mental health than other things. These include:

• High job demand
• Poor support
• Poor workplace
• Poor organisational justice
• Poor environmental conditions
• Etc.

Exposure to these factors increases the likelihood of work-related stress. If the stress continues for a prolonged period of time, then this may cause individuals to experience psychological or physical injury. For example, long-term stress could cause eventual depression and anxiety.

Data has shown that work-related stress causes high rates of unplanned absences (including sick leave), high staff turnover, more withdrawal and reduced quality of work quality. Therefore, it is important to address these hazards and see what an employer and employee can do to combat them.