Employers breaking the law by not eliminating psychological risks
Employers have reduced workplace injuries but are failing to address occupational stress and psychological health risks.
A survey of 50 major employers has found a high percentage of companies and government departments do not have systems in place to deal with employees' psychological health, despite a rise in stress-related compensation claims.
Richard Kasperczyk, managing director of consultants RTK Corporate, which conducted the survey, said state occupational health and safety laws require companies to have a plan to eliminate psychological risks.
Only seven per cent of the companies surveyed said they had a documented list of psychological hazards, which can include bullying, harassment and work overload. Other risks include “under load”, a lack of control over your work, answering to more than one boss and having an unclear or undefined role.
Kasperczyk said a lot of companies and government departments still treat stress as a issue that an HR department has to deal with, rather than a matter of occupational health and safety.
A survey of 50 major employers has found a high percentage of companies and government departments do not have systems in place to deal with employees' psychological health, despite a rise in stress-related compensation claims.
Richard Kasperczyk, managing director of consultants RTK Corporate, which conducted the survey, said state occupational health and safety laws require companies to have a plan to eliminate psychological risks.
Only seven per cent of the companies surveyed said they had a documented list of psychological hazards, which can include bullying, harassment and work overload. Other risks include “under load”, a lack of control over your work, answering to more than one boss and having an unclear or undefined role.
Kasperczyk said a lot of companies and government departments still treat stress as a issue that an HR department has to deal with, rather than a matter of occupational health and safety.
