The Psychosocial Safety Climate and Better Productivity in Australian Workplaces: Cost, Productivity, Presenteeism, Absenteesim report suggests that productivity losses associated with low levels of management commitment to psychological health and safety in the workplace comes at an estimated cost to employers of $6 billion per annum.

The Bullying & Harassment in Australian Workplaces: Results from the Australian Workplace Barometer project 2014/2015 report provides information on the prevalence of bullying and harassment in Australian workplaces and notes an increase in the estimated prevalence of workplace bullying from 7% in 2009-10 to 9.7% in 2014-15.

These two reports use data collected from the Australia Workplace Barometer project, a longitudinal study operating since 2009 that observes workplace trends in psychological health.

“This information is important to the development of national policy and guidance to promote improved psychological health in Australian workplaces” said Safe Work Australia Director of Research and Evaluation, Dr Fleur de Crespigny.

“This research is also important because it represents the first ever national collection of information on bullying and harassment in Australian workplaces.”

“It is not clear why there has been an increase in the estimated prevalence of bullying, but it is worth noting the data are based on self-reported bullying and it is possible that growing awareness and recognition of mental health in the workplace, including bullying, has contributed to the increase,” said Dr de Crespigny.

“The findings provide evidence that it is advantageous for employers to commit to improving mental health in the workplace” said Dr de Crespigny.

“It improves business productivity and decreases instances of bullying and harassment in the workplace” she said.

Safe Work Australia contributed funding to this research undertaken by Professor Maureen Dollard from University of South Australia to undertake this research.

Source: Safe Work Australia, 23 November 2016

Adults spend about a third of their waking hours at work. The workplace provides a unique opportunity to provide key health information and intervention. Suicide Prevention Australia (SPA) sees the workplace as playing a vital role in the creation of a suicide safe community.

The World Health Organisation suggests worker suicide is a result of complex interaction between individual vulnerabilities and work-related environmental factors that trigger stress reactions and contribute to poor mental wellbeing. Employers have a legal responsibility to provide a safe and healthy workplace, including managing psychosocial stressors.

SPA calls on organisations of all sizes to implement workplace policies and programs that promote a mentally health workforce and prevent suicide behaviours. The position statement “Work and Suicide Prevention Position Statement February 2014“, provides recommendations for employers to take action to prevent suicide. It also offers an in-depth analysis of the case for change including risk factors, evidence-based activities and programs that can be implemented in the workplace and policy analysis. This is rounded off with practical information for responding to suicide including case studies and links to resources to assist organisations implement the recommendations. 

Sue Murray, CEO of SPA, says, “Employers may be surprised at how simple it can be to take an active role in suicide prevention. There is a wide range of support available from organisations working in mental health and suicide prevention to assist employers prepare for and respond to suicide”.

SPA are encouraging business leaders to take an active role in promoting a culture that supports mental health promotion.

For more information or to download the position statement, visit the Suicide Prevention Australia website. 

Source: Suicide Prevention Australia, February 2014