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ARTICLE · 23 FEBRUARY 2020

Employers, be aware of vicarious trauma risks

Cooper Grace Ward
Cooper Grace Ward
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Cooper Grace Ward

Cooper Grace Ward

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It is important that employers take appropriate steps to reduce the impact for employees of witnessing traumatic events.

AustraliaEmployment and HR
Belinda Winter
Belinda Winter
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Witnessing traumatic events at work can have devastating and long-lasting effects on employees. Roles where people may experience vicarious trauma include, but are not limited to:

  • health
  • housing
  • law enforcement
  • legal
  • emergency services
  • family services.

It is important that appropriate steps are taken to reduce the impact that vicarious trauma can have on employees. This was demonstrated in the case of The Age Company Limited v YZ (a Pseudonym) [2019] VSCA 313.

In this case, a reporter developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of exposure to traumatic events during the course of her work.

Facts

YZ was a reporter employed by The Age Company Limited. From 2003 to 2009, she was a crime reporter. The plaintiff was transferred to sports journalism after alleging that she was unable to continue crime reporting due to the distress it was causing her. However, approximately a year later, in 2010, the plaintiff was repeatedly asked

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© Cooper Grace Ward Lawyers

Cooper Grace Ward is a leading Australian law firm based in Brisbane.

This publication is for information only and is not legal advice. You should obtain advice that is specific to your circumstances and not rely on this publication as legal advice. If there are any issues you would like us to advise you on arising from this publication, please contact Cooper Grace Ward Lawyers.

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