NSW employers are failing to address the mental health of their workers appropriately, with the construction and scientific industries among the worst performers, a rigorous new benchmarking tool shows.
Fewer than one in 10 (8.8 per cent) of the state's workplaces have an integrated and sustained approach to mental health, according to an independent survey of more than 2000 employees across NSW businesses.
Fewer than one in 10 NSW workplaces have an integrated and sustained approach to mental health, new research shows.
The workplaces were assessed using a new benchmarking algorithm created by workplace mental health experts as part of a sweeping "Mentally Health Workplaces in NSW" strategy being developed by SafeWork NSW.
Close to one in five employers had only a basic awareness of mental health issues and viewed mental health as an individual's responsibility, the lowest level of capability measured by the benchmarking tool that assessed workplaces.
Just under 60 per cent had either taken limited action or had shown an intention to act, while only 13.55 per cent had taken effective action.
Article by Kate Aubusson and appeared in Sydney Morning Herald
