New research suggests poor psychosocial safety climates increase the number of days employees take off due to injury or illness.

The study highlights the importance of maintaining a psychologically healthy workplace for reducing the economic impact of workplace injuries and illnesses.

Organisations with low psychosocial safety climate (PSC) scores saw a 160 per cent increase in lost working days compared to those with high PSC, averaging 177 days off versus 68 days. 

Financially, the burden was 104 per cent greater in organisations with very low PSC, with costs per employee averaging $67,260 compared to $32,939 in high PSC environments.

The study is based on an independent Australian Workplace Barometer sample and workers' compensation claims data held by a government safety regulator. The sample included 1,067 workers across 100 organisations, covering a total of 12,624 claims.

Nurses, police officers, and personal assistants were the most commonly represented occupations in the claims data, with muscle-related injuries being the predominant type of injury. 

Researchers noted that PSC’s impact was mediated through factors such as skill discretion, job satisfaction, and rewards. 

Other elements like decision authority, supervisory support, and bullying also influenced time loss, though to a lesser extent than PSC. 

The study’s results suggest that addressing PSC is crucial for improving return-to-work outcomes and reducing the financial strain on both organisations and the broader economy

The full study is accessible here.