Young workers: Mental health and work
Work can have both positive and negative effects on mental health.
Key points
- In a mentally healthy workplace:
- psychosocial hazards are treated the same way as physical hazards
- communication is encouraged
- employees are consulted
- mental health support is available
- Work-related mental injury can be caused by many factors, such as work-related violence, work-related gendered violence, workplace bullying and work-related stress and fatigue.
- Psychosocial hazards can negatively impact mental health in many ways including increasing the risk of stress, burnout, anxiety and depression.
- If work is having an impact on your mental health, there are ways to get support.
It is your employer's duty to provide and maintain a working environment that is safe and without risks to health, so far as is reasonably practicable.
This includes both physical and mental health.
'Reasonably practicable' simply means doing everything that is reasonably possible. It’s what a reasonable person in the same position would do.
A mentally healthy workplace
Signs of a mentally healthy workplace:
- Psychosocial hazards are identified and associated risks are controlled in the same way as physical risks. For example, taking action to eliminate or reduce the risk of mental injury.
- Systems of work are in place to support employees to do their work safely.
- Positive communication is encouraged and people feel safe and supported to talk about mental health. For example, an open door policy.
- Workload is manageable and employees have appropriate control over how they do their work. Employees are consulted about decisions affecting their work.
- There is role clarity — employees know what they’re expected to do and who to report to.
- Mental health support is available and tailored for individuals.
More information about mental health in the workplace is available at Mental health: Safety basics.
Common causes of workplace mental injury among young workers
Psychosocial hazards are factors in the design or management of work that can increase the risk of harm. If psychosocial hazards are not managed, they can lead to mental injury, physical injury or both.
Research shows that young workers are more at risk of being exposed to psychosocial hazards.
It is important to understand what these hazards are so you know when to seek help from your employer to eliminate or reduce them, so far as is reasonably practicable.
- Work-related violence
Work-related violence involves incidents in which a person is abused, threatened or assaulted at work or at a work-related setting, such as a work Christmas party. It may come from co-workers, customers, patients, contractors or members of the public.
Work-related violence and violence outside of work can often look very similar. What are some examples of work-related violence that come to mind?
Work-related violence can include:
- physical violence like:
- grabbing
- pushing
- hitting
- tripping
- throwing objects or assault with a weapon
- verbal or online threats and abuse
- physical violence like:
- Work-related gendered violence including sexual harassment
Work-related gendered violence is any behaviour directed at a person, or that affects a person, because of one of the following, that creates a risk to health and safety:
- sex
- gender
- sexual orientation, or
- because they don't follow socially prescribed gender roles
People more at risk of gendered violence include:
- women
- people who identify as LGBTIQA+
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- people with disability
- young workers
Witnesses of work-related gendered violence may also be negatively impacted by such behaviour.
Employee psychosocial fact sheet: Work-related gendered violence including sexual harassment
Sexual harassment is one form of gendered violence. Sexual harassment includes behaviour such as unwanted sexual advances or requests, messages, online stalking or assault.
Can you think of some other examples of gendered violence?
Examples of work-related gendered violence include:
- offensive language, gestures, imagery or jokes including those that are sexist, homophobic or transphobic
- exclusion or being undermined in your role because of your sex, gender, sexual orientation or because you don’t follow socially prescribed gender roles, for example that women and men should look or act a certain way or should have specific roles in a workplace
Work-related gendered violence can be more common in workplaces where:
- there is gender segregation, for example where:
- women and men have specific roles
- more women work part-time
- more men are in leadership roles
- insecure work makes it harder for employees to raise concerns
- there is a lack of facilities for all employees in a workplace, such as adequate toilets and change rooms for women, transgender and gender diverse people
- Workplace bullying
Workplace bullying is repeated, unreasonable behaviour directed at an employee or group of employees that creates a risk to health and safety.
What are some examples of bullying you can think of?
Hint: you may have covered this at school.
Examples of bullying include repeated:
- verbal abuse from a manager, co-worker or customer
- online bullying including abusive messages or activity on social media
- unfair sharing of tasks, demands or deadlines targeted at a particular employee
- Work-related stress
Work-related stress is the physical and psychological response of an employee who feels that the demands of their work or workplace exceed their ability or resources to cope.
Have a think about school-related stress. What are some causes of stress that could occur in the workplace?
Causes of work-related stress include:
- high job demands — too much work or pressure to meet strict deadlines lack of support from supervisors or other employees
- lack of role clarity — uncertainty about how to complete a task or unreasonable expectations and responsibilities that aren’t in your job description
- Work-related fatigue
Fatigue is an acute and/or ongoing state that leads to physical, mental or emotional exhaustion and prevents people from functioning safely.
Work can sometimes be exhausting. What are some causes of fatigue that you can think of?
Causes of work-related fatigue include:
- working long hours with not enough time for sleep
- shift work
- high job demands
Impacts of psychosocial hazards on mental health
Exposure to psychosocial hazards can negatively impact mental health. This can lead to
- loss of confidence or withdrawal
- feelings of isolation
- burn out
- substance use or abuse
- suicidal thoughts and behaviours
- social isolation, family dislocation
- stress
- financial loss or economic disadvantage
- mental injury such as anxiety or depression
- physical injuries as a result of assault
If you develop a mental injury as a result of work, you may be entitled to make a claim for support and compensation from WorkSafe.
If you submit a mental injury claim, you may be able to access early treatment and support through provisional payments. Provisional payments aim to support a positive return to work journey, regardless of the claim outcome. Providing the right support, quickly and easily, is important for getting on track and back to work.
Support
If your work is having a negative impact on your mental health, it's important to speak up and seek support early. Start by reaching out to someone you trust, such as a friend, co-worker, parent or guardian, supervisor or health and safety representative (HSR) at work.
Your employer may also have an employee assistance program where you can access confidential support. If you are unsure if your employer provides this, you can ask your manager, HSR or human resources department.
You can also make an appointment with a doctor or contact your local Headspace, Beyond Blue, Kids Helpline or Lifeline for help. The Young Workers Centre also offers advice and help with any questions you may have.
If you are in an emergency or at immediate risk of harm to yourself or others, please contact emergency services on 000.
Contact WorkSafe for advice or to report an incident
Contact the WorkSafe advisory service on 1800 136 089 between 7.30am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday. You don't have to give your name, you can be anonymous.
To report an emergency 24 hours a day, 7 days a week call 13 23 60.
Online enquiries
General queries can be submitted online about health and safety, publications, licensing and workers compensation.
Please don't use this email form to report an incident.