Psychosocial hazards and risks must be managed by all businesses, organisations and corporations as Work Health and Safety matters per amendments to the WHS Regulation 2017 introduced October 2022.

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Examples of Psychosocial hazards and risks are listed in the Code of Practice: Managing Psychosocial Hazards at Work (2022.)

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Workplace bullying and harassment came under the jurisdiction of the Fair Work Commission from January 2014 and from 2022 bullying and harassment has been written over into WHS law under the umbrella of psychosocial hazards and risks.

 

The New South Wales workplace health and safety Regulator, SafeWork NSW is additionally tasked with overseeing that businesses and organisations implement and adhere to the new requirements to manage psychosocial risks and hazards in the workplace as they would physical WHS risks and hazards, which are not so much "additional duties" but are simply an expansion on duties already stated in the WHS Act and WHS Regulation that are to be complied with in the first place. 

 

 

Impact of Psychosocial hazards, risks, and incidents in workplaces

 

 

While it is the right of every employer to ask that people do their jobs and to supervise and performance manage staff as needed, there can be instances where unreasonable behaviour can lead to bullying, harassment and other behaviours which may cause unecessary mental trauma. This can be from both sides. Just as it is necessary for bullying, harassment, and any examples of psychosocial trauma to be eliminated from the workplace, so it is that persons must not be wrongly accused or victimized because someone or some people have an agenda. This is a sensitive subject and must be dealt with very objectively and truthfully.

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The presence of psychosocial hazards and risks in the workplace may lead to  decreased productivity, staff absences (sickness and stress), high staff turnover and general low morale. These have financial costs.

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Some of the costs are easy to measure, such as:
 

• Paid sickness and stress leave

• Legal expenses

• Compensation claims

• Rising insurance premiums as a result of claims

 

Other costs may be harder to measure, such as:
 

• Reduced productivity.

• Lowered motivation of all staff

• Time spent in investigating situations

• Hiring and training new staff, due to high turnover of staff.

 

Some other factors to take into account are the following figures from a study by Duncan and Riley:
 

• More than one in five Australians believe they are bullied at work.

• In some industries such as health, education and government services  25% to 97% of workers believe that they are bullied.

 

Risk Management obligations

 

Psychosocial hazards need to be managed like any other hazard in the workplace. All businesses, regardless of size, have a duty under Section 19 of the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act to provide a safe and healthy workplace.

 

Organisations should take an active approach to managing the risk of psychosocial hazards and risks in their workplace in order to be in compliance with work health and safety legislation, avoid costly legal actions, and avoid getting embroiled in an investigation and penalties by the Fair Work Commission.

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Available education and training in psychosocial awareness and risk management

 

 

Courtenell offers several courses and workshops in psychosocial risk management including bullying and harassment. Please contact if you want more information on any of these services