Managing volatile workers employed by the Commonwealth Government

Mental health issues are prevalent in Australian workplaces with stress and psychosocial hazards identified as a major causative factor of occupational incidents, injuries and absenteeism. Evidently, these circumstances increase potential legal risk from both a WHS and workers' compensation perspective. There may also be other effects, such as impacts on workplace culture, reputation and commercial relationships.

Studies undertaken by the Australian Bureau of Statistics in 2007 identified that approximately 45% of Australians between the ages of 16 and 85 will experience a mental illness. Safe Work Australia also identified mental stress claims as the most common and costly workers' compensation claims, with the main categories being workplace pressures, bullying and harassment.