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Examining the mental health effects of COVID-19

SafeWork NSW has encouraged employees and employers whose mental health has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic to participate in a community consultation. The regulator says this will help drive how the NSW Government supports people when they need help most.

NSW Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation Kevin Anderson notes the dramatic impact the pandemic has had on many people’s lives, especially through changing workplace practices.

“Many companies have shifted to a remote working model, while others have unfortunately had to reduce staff numbers or hours worked, leaving many NSW employees facing an uncertain future,” Mr Anderson said.

“We want to hear from people across all industries and in different types of working arrangements to get a clear understanding of how these unprecedented challenges have impacted workplace mental health.”

To hear from as many people as possible, the NSW Government launched an online community engagement tool with which feedback can be provided through quick polls, an online survey and a digital ideas board.“

By allowing people to choose how they engage with public consultations, and by scrapping complicated lengthy forms and reducing the need for email submissions, we are cutting down barriers in engaging with government on critical issues and allow genuine two-way discussion,” NSW Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said.

Feedback from the consultation, which finished on 6 November, will be summarised and reported via the online engagement tool. Feedback will also be used by the NSW Government to inform further policy on mental health in the workplace.

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