Psychological health in the workplace: your options and supports
If you, or someone you know is experiencing a mental health hazard at work, or you feel you’re at risk of a psychological injury, there are a number of actions you can take.
Recommended actions
Or if relevant, request that the behaviour stop.
Seek advice from someone you trust such as a colleague, family doctor, supervisor, union representative or someone from human resources. It might be helpful to describe the negative behaviour you have been experiencing.
Your HSR can provide you with advice and support for your situation, and represent your views to management.
Ask your employer about its relevant workplace policy or procedure. For example in reference to bullying this should outline the standards of acceptable behaviour for employees while at work and how to report bullying.
Formally report the situation in accordance with your employer’s relevant policy or procedure. Ask your HSR or manager if you are not sure what the procedure is. It might be under another name, such as a grievance procedure.
Keep a factual record of events that includes what happened, dates and times, who was involved, names of witnesses and, where possible, copies of any relevant documents.
Getting the right help
It's important to get the right help and depending on your situation, it might be appropriate for you to seek guidance from another agency.
For immediate emotional support
- Lifeline
Lifeline provides a 24 hour confidential telephone service to offer emotional and crisis support to people in need (including stresses from work).
- Beyondblue
Beyondblue provides a 24 hour confidential national telephone service with a trained mental health professional. They can also point you in the right direction so you can seek further support (including referral to relevant services).
Alternatively you can chat to beyondblue online, every day from 3.00pm – 12.00am (AEST). The webchat provides short-term counselling, information and referrals for anxiety or depression.
If you are experiencing violence or threats of violence
- Victoria Police
Threats to harm someone, acts of violence, assault, property damage and stalking these are criminal matters that should be referred to the police. WorkSafe recommends that you report these types of incidents to Victoria Police which is responsible for investigating and prosecuting these matters.
Phone or visit your local police station, Police station contact numbers are listed on www.police.vic.gov.au and in the White pages.
Phone 000 for emergencies only.
- Centre Against Sexual Assault (CASA)
The centre ensures that people who experience sexual assault have access to timely support.
Available services:
- Crisis services are available 24 hours per day for a recent sexual assault, disclosure of sexual assault or extreme distress about a sexual assault.
- Counselling and support (short, medium and long-term) counselling is available in a safe, confidential environment.
- Advocacy can be provided about your legal, medical and social support rights.
- Victims Support Agency
This is a Department of Justice and Community Safety Victoria unit which represents victims of crime and helps them recover from the impact of crime.
If you are experiencing discrimination or harassment at work
- Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission
Provides help to resolve complaints of discrimination or breaches of human rights under federal laws.
For advice on your rights at work
- Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman can provide information and advice about workplace rights and obligations including:
- pay and working conditions (award, penalty rates, hours of work etc)
- break entitlements (meal breaks, breaks between shifts)
- annual leave, sick leave, parental leave, personal leave, public holiday entitlements and long service leave entitlements
- workplace protections, employment agreements, flexible working arrangements
- performance management issues
- workplace Privacy
- issues relating to termination, unlawful termination and redundancy
Note: For issues relating to unfair dismissal contact Fair Work Commission.
- Job Watch
Job Watch is an employment rights legal centre which provides a free and confidential telephone information and referral service.
- Metro: 03 9662 1933
- Country: 1800 331 617
- www.jobwatch.org.au
- ACTU Member Connect
Contact ACTU Member Connect to locate your appropriate trade union.
Other agencies
- Federation of Community Legal Centres
Provides contact information on local community legal services.
- State Service Authority
The State Services Authority can be contacted when a public sector employer has not complied with values, employment principles, standards or codes and this has impacted on another employee.
- Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria (DSCV)
The DSCV is part of the Victorian Department of Justice and provides free dispute resolution services to all Victorians. DSCV offers dispute resolution advice, conflict coaching and mediation services.
- Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA)
The VRQA investigate complaints about breaches of standards and guidelines by Victorian organisations registered with VRQA. This includes issues relating to apprentice and trainee training contracts. You can make a complaint in person or call VRQA directly.
- 03 9637 2806
- www.vrqa.vic.gov.au
- Level 4, Casselden, 2 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne VIC 3000