Health is defined as being both physical and psychological. While many employers have put in place measures to guard against physical injuries, the management of psychological injuries is sometimes neglected.
In the workplace, psychological injuries are considered forms of mental harm, damage, dysfunction, and impairment caused to an employee due to neglect or failure on the employer’s side.
These must have a noticeable level of disturbance to the worker’s pre-existing psychological state such that it interferes in a significant way with the individual’s ability to function. In such a case, the employee is eligible to sue for compensation.
Psychological Injury Assessment
Work-related psychological injuries continue to be a challenging issue across all Australian workers’ compensation jurisdictions. Therefore, employers must institute a proactive approach to risk manage all foreseeable psychosocial hazards in the work environment. Such hazards include a poorly designed or managed work environment, workplace violence, a traumatic event, bullying or harassment, fatigue, bullying or harassment and excessive or prolonged work pressures. All these factors can increase the likelihood of workers experiencing a stress response.
Psychological Injury Prevention
The risk of psychological harm can be reduced by developing effective measures to manage the work environment and work systems. Although these may vary from workplace to workplace, all parties must understand their role in the process. Through the provision of information and training, employees can be protected from psychological health risks.
Psychological Injury Treatment and Return to Work
Early diagnosis and intervention can help reduce the number of employees experiencing psychological problems and prevent symptoms from progressing to full-blown psychological injuries. Again, early treatment can help employees to resume their duties within the shortest possible time. It can help eliminate the hidden costs surrounding absenteeism, sick leave, income protection, and workplace disruption to the employer.
At Recovery Partners, our team of experts can help your company strike a sustainable balance between managing employees’ wellbeing and performance imperatives.
Find out more about our Psychological Services
Our services are available nationwide. For more information about our services contact us.
Our consultants love to have a chat, so go ahead and give us a call on 1300 OHS RTW (647 789) or email enquiries@rrp.com.au
Disclaimer – these articles are provided to supply general safety information to people responsible for OHS in their organisation. They are general in nature and do not substitute for legal and/or professional advice. We always suggest that organisations obtain information specific to their needs. Additional information can be found at https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/