Regional workers face rising workplace stress and bullying claims
Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 12 Oct, 20:32 · Archive
Mental injury claims from workplace stress, bullying and abuse are increasing in regional areas, affecting emergency workers, teachers and retail staff.
Workers' compensation data released by Allianz Insurance shows regional employees are disproportionately affected by workplace mental health issues. Mental injury claims comprised 19 per cent of all claims in regional areas, compared to 13 per cent in metropolitan areas. Stress was the leading driver of claims among regional workers, followed by bullying or harassment and workplace violence.
Emergency staff, teachers and retail employees are experiencing increased abuse, according to Allianz's mental health strategy manager Brianna Cattanach. She attributed this partly to a broad decline in wellbeing across the community, with people increasingly dealing with workplace challenges.
Experts fear that unique workplace pressures combined with limited mental health support outside cities may worsen labour shortages. A former emergency worker who left her career as a first responder with severe mental distress in 2023 described how she was given extra work when she told her boss she was struggling, and felt punished for pushing back. She noted there was no way to access long-term confidential mental health care through her employer without her boss signing off on the paperwork.
How it is being reported
- 'Soldier on': workers face rising abuse and bullyingMental injury claims arising from workplace stress, bullying, harassment and abuse are increasing in regional areas, with fears employees will quit "in droves".The West Australian · 12 Oct, 20:03
- 'Soldier on': workers face rising abuse and bullyingMental injury claims arising from workplace stress, bullying, harassment and abuse are increasing in regional areas, with fears employees will quit "in droves".Perth Now · 12 Oct, 20:03
In this story: Allianz Insurance · Brianna Cattanach
This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem
Comments (0)