AWU CRISIS REPORT: ONE IN TWO EXPERIENCE WORKPLACE BULLYING

New data released on Tuesday by the Australian Workers Union (AWU) indicates that nearly half of Australian workers have encountered bullying, harassment, or workplace discrimination, which are common contributors to mental health issues.

According to the AWU study, approximately 49.87% of the over 1,200 surveyed workers had reported problems related to workplace relationships, including instances of bullying and discrimination. The study included workers from various industries including manufacturing, mining, construction, health, and community services.

The report includes a distressing account in which a manager bullied employees to the extent that one worker even wrote a suicide note, mentioning the manager's name. The bullying was relentless, and even when upper management became aware of it, no action was taken, leading to the worker having to leave their employment to protect their mental health.

An astonishing 31% of survey respondents reported experiencing a mental health injury in the past year. The AWU anticipates that one-third of workers' compensation claims by 2029 will be linked to mental health issues.

In 2020, the Committee for Economic Development of Australia's Productivity Commission estimated that psychological and psychosocial injuries cost the Australian economy $12.2 billion and $39.9 billion per year, respectively.

Workplace bullying, low recognition and reward, poor organisational justice, and inadequate support and resources were identified as contributing factors to poor mental health.

The AWU has stressed the importance of employers assuming responsibility for psychological hazards in the workplace, proactively addressing workplace bullying and related issues, and underscored the significant influence of workplace conditions on employees' mental well-being, considering the considerable time individuals spend at work.

Share Tweet

RELATED

HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE INGESTION IN THE WORKPLACE
Oral exposure to hazardous substances is not often addressed during risk assessments, but a new review and analysis highlights that it may be relevant in many workplaces.
Read More
MUA AND ITF CONDEMN DETENTION AND ASSAULT OF SEIU’S DAVID HUERTA IN L.A.
MUA STATEMENT: The MUA, alongside over 700 global transport trade unions that make up the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), condemn the violent assault and detention of SEIU Local USWW President David...
Read More
$15K FINE FOR APPRENTICE FALL
In yet another example of employers putting apprentices at risk of falls, Elotan Pty Ltd (trading as CBH Roofing) has been convicted and fined $15,000 after an apprentice plumber sustained multiple broken...
Read More