Public Servants In Stress Front Line

Child protection workers employed by the Department of Human Services in Victoria are among a growing legion of public service workers who are suffering stress related symptoms caused by jobs that are high on pressure and low on support.

A public improvement notice recently issued by WorkSafe says a group of long-term child protection workers are experiencing "physical and psychological symptoms of stress as a result of their work duties".

Some of the conditions reported include: sleeplessness, prolonged periods of anxiety, weight loss, increased blood pressure, and withdrawal from social networks.

The notice also says workers are dreading coming into work but also feeling guilty if they take time off and cases are not attended to.

WorkSafe says the current system of work is failing to ensure staff are working reasonable hours.

One employee is being given nearly 42 hours of court access work to complete within a 38-hour week. This does not include the time taken to prepare for cases, review case notes, subpoena witnesses and assess clients. Nor does it leave time for non-core tasks such as the supervision of high-risk infants.

WorkSafe has suggested a range of control measured to address the issue, including:

• providing additional staff

• using of time in lieu as a workload indicator

• reviewing the teams cases and workloads to see if some tasks can be redirected

• reviewing the time requirements of workloads and the workers' capacity to meet them.

The notice coincides with media reports that stress cases from public services are costing up to $65 per year in workers compensation payouts and premiums. Community and Public Sector Union Secretary Karen Batt says money going to premiums is largely wasted because many claims can be avoided if workers are given sufficient support in the first place.

Child protection officers, police officers and support staff, housing officers, district nurses, prison guards, teachers and school support staff are reportedly most as risk from workplace stress.

Batt says this is due to unrealistic and heavy workloads, bullying, harassment, growing budget pressures and increased paperwork.

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Last modified: Tuesday, 15-Nov-2005 20:37:38 EST