In May, Safe Work Australia launched a new campaign to raise awareness of the stigma associated with workers’ compensation and what can be done to reduce it.

Stigma is a significant issue facing workers who sustain an injury or develop an illness at work. According to Safe Work Australia, one in three workers thought they would be treated differently by people at work if they knew about their injury or illness, and one in five were worried about stigma associated with being on workers’ compensation.

Workers’ compensation stigma may prevent injured or ill workers from making a workers’ compensation claim, and it can also impact their recovery.

Safe Work Australia Chief Executive Officer Michelle Baxter said the new campaign will build awareness of workers’ compensation stigma, and provide practical resources to help employers, supervisors and workers to understand what they can do to reduce it.

“Everyone can play a role to create a workplace where injured or ill workers are supported and protected from experiencing workers’ compensation stigma,” Ms Baxter said.

Click here to find out more about the campaign and download the resources developed by Safe Work Australia to help employers combat workers’ compensation stigma.