Predictors of psychological stress Work Cover Claims by Correctional Officers

Abstract

In Australia, occupational stress represents approximately 6.5% of reported workplace injuries, produces an average absenteeism duration of 18.4 weeks, and costs Australian organisations approximately $105.5m per annum. The requirement for organisational psychologists to address this workplace health issue is therefore paramount. This research employed archival organisational data to identify the actual predictors of psychological stress Work Cover Claims recently submitted by 163 correctional officers in one Australian State. Commonly perceived predictors such as the gender, tenure and rank of the correctional officers were not significantly associated with the submission of a Claim. Instead the predictors consisted of absentee levels, submission of grievance reports against officers, exposure to severe critical incidents at work, and the specific role of the correctional officer. The implications of these results in terms of subsequent organisational interventions targeted at reducing organisational stress experienced by correctional officers are also briefly discussed.