Management of Workplace Stress Injury: Improving Occupational Rehabilitation Systems through Action Research

Abstract

Occupational stress is an increasingly significant economic and social burden in Australia, yet workers’ compensation systems do not adequately address the impact of occupational stress, leaving employers and individuals to find new ways of responding to this challenge. Management of workplace stress injury is therefore an ongoing concern to employers, requiring the integration at the workplace of more effective occupational rehabilitation systems to prevent and mitigate this condition. Research indicates that organisations, which are successful in developing wellintegrated occupational rehabilitation systems that incorporate work-based interventions, benefit measurably from this investment in human resources. However, there is limited research demonstrating how specific organisations can develop effective occupational rehabilitation strategies, especially in Australia and especially in response to workplace stress. In response to this situation the aim of this research was to develop and implement a process for identifying an effective occupational rehabilitation system conducive to the large organisational environment of the Queensland Police Service (QPS). The study utilised an Action Research design, incorporating a systems thinking framework to address the research aims. Data was collected in three phases, using interviews, focus groups and a survey, to gain an understanding of the organisational context of the QPS, issues pertaining to stress and injury, potential solutions to the identified issues from the perspectives of organisational stakeholders, and existing injury and illness prevention and rehabilitation processes.