Contributing work factors

Contributing work factors

Psychological injury can be caused by things that happen at work or outside work or as a result of a combination of work and other pressures. It may be caused by one or more of a number of different factors. The majority of psychological injury claims are not the result of a major traumatic event or critical incident. Most such claims develop over long periods, often in response to the interaction of a number of work-related and other factors.

Work factors may be grouped as relating to either 'work content' or 'work context' and include:

Work Content

• heavy workload and fast working pace-heavy workloads of prolonged duration, protracted overtime with little opportunity for recuperation, a fast working pace combined with limited opportunities to control or influence one's own work

• physically monotonous and repetitive work-physically monotonous repetitive work which gives little opportunity for challenge or personal or vocational development

• environmental issues - unpleasant or dangerous physical conditions such as crowding, noise, air pollution or ergonomic problems.

Work context

• management styles - lack of participation by employees in decision making, poor communication, a culture of blame when things go wrong, and lack of family friendly policies

• interpersonal relationships - poor social environment, harassment, lack of support from co-workers and supervisors, or working alone

• risk of violence - being subject to physical violence or threats of physical violence by co-workers, supervisors or clients

• work roles - conflicting or uncertain work expectations, too much responsibility without adequate training or support, or too many 'hats to wear'

• career concerns - counselling for poor performance, job insecurity, lack of opportunity for development, and disciplinary action, and

• organisational change - rapid changes for which employees are unprepared either because of poor communication or inadequate training.