Workplace mental health is currently estimated to cost the Australian economy in the vicinity of $200 - $220 billion per year according to a Productivity Commission (2020) report. SafeWork Australia data also indicates that in the majority of Austrian States or Territories; the percentage of mental health type claims in comparison to all serious accepted claims is on the rise (where serious claims are those resulting in at least one-week of absence from work). The typical cost of a mental health claim is as much as $25,650; significantly higher than the cost of a physical injury claim being $10,600 (for period 2012/13 to 2016/17 inclusive). There are numerous other data reports and commentary supporting the need to take workplace mental health and wellbeing seriously if an employer wants to promote itself as an ‘Employer of Choice’.

More recently; we are seeing the relevant Workplace Safety Regulators step up their own focus on psychological health in the workplace, with state governments passing legislation supporting Model WHS laws requiring employers to establish psychosocial risk and hazard assessments, and move to mitigate these hazards and risks in the workplace. Elements such as job demand, job control, managerial and co-worker support, workplace violence and bullying / harassment are some key considerations in the design of a work system.

Through our team of Mental Health Consultants; Saunders Safety & Training are able to assist businesses nationally in helping them to understand their legal requirements, and explain the financial, cultural and reputational risks and benefits of an effective and well-established psychosocial risk management system. Contact us today for a discovery call on how we can assist you in this ever important safety risk environment.