By Sarah Ford, InPsych feature writer

"Work stress is a hot topic. More workers are making psychological stress-related compensation claims than ever before, with the national cost of such claims estimated to be $105.5 million in 2000-2001. Employers and the government are grappling with how to address the problem. Adelaide-based organisational psychologist Associate Professor Maureen Dollard has been researching and consulting on occupational stress for over a decade. "I have never seen such a national reaction to it as now", she says. Psychosocial risk factors in work environments are firmly on the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission agenda and the State-based workers' compensation bodies are running programs for stress prevention, intervention and management.

Part of this recent action comes from the growing recognition of the human cost of stress, but it is the financial expense that has forced a response. Recent figures show how the nature of stress claims makes them particularly costly. Although the number of such claims account for a minority of claims overall, stressed workers tend to stop working for longer periods, resulting in a higher relative cost to employers. In 2001-2002 stress accounted for over half of all long term (12 or more weeks) compensation claims that did not involve an injury. Stress is considered to include work pressure, harassment at work, exposure to traumatic events, lack of autonomy and support, and exposure to workplace and occupational violence."

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If you are having difficulting managing your own stress at work or in your personal life, maybe it is time to call 1300 880 448 or make an appointment online for professional help from a registered psychologist. Medicare rebates are available for this service with a referral from your general practitioner.