Cyber Insurance Online :: News
SHARE

Share this news item!

Rising Mental Health Claims Signal Urgent Need for Tailored Workplace Solutions

Rising Mental Health Claims Signal Urgent Need for Tailored Workplace Solutions

Rising Mental Health Claims Signal Urgent Need for Tailored Workplace Solutions?w=400

The information on this website is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Consider seeking personal advice from a licensed adviser before acting on any information.

In recent years, there has been a notable increase in mental health claims among employees grappling with heightened economic pressures and workplace challenges.
Allianz, the country's largest workers’ compensation insurer, highlights a pressing issue: a 47.5% surge in active psychological claims, accompanied by a 30% hike in absence days due to mental health concerns from 2019 to 2022.

The insurer serves over 155,000 businesses, indicating a significant cross-section of the national workforce. Predominant causes of these psychological claims include workplace harassment, bullying, and stress/burnout, collectively constituting 76-78% of all such claims.

In a survey Allianz conducted between April and May this year, nearly half of the respondents reported feeling fatigued in their roles. Additionally, over one-third of employees are contemplating changing jobs within the next year. This widespread fatigue, coupled with discontentment over compensation and workload, is contributing to mental health strain.

Specifically, 46% of employees cite economic stressors as a major detractor from job satisfaction, while 33% feel their compensation does not match their efforts. Another 25% attribute their mental exhaustion to increased work demands. Allianz emphasizes, "Economic pressures are directly impacting employees' views on their work environment."

Julie Mitchell, Allianz's Chief GM for personal injury, points out that primary psychological claims are not only growing in number but also in cost. Over the past five years, the average cost of a psychological claim has been 2.8 times higher than that of a physical claim. In 2023 alone, the average expenditure for a psychological claim stood at $42,335, up from $32,769 in 2019, as reported to insuranceNEWS.com.au.

Despite the reduction in mental health stigma, Mitchell warns of an ongoing rise in the frequency and complexity of these claims unless organizations proactively address their employees' needs. She asserts, "It's crucial for companies to move away from a 'one size fits all' mental health strategy, as employees’ experiences and needs vary greatly based on individual circumstances."

Employees have voiced a desire for more transparent communication about workplace issues and want management to establish clear channels for airing concerns. This sentiment reflects a need for customized approaches to mental health support that recognize and address the unique challenges faced by different workforce segments.

This article is based on information originally reported by insuranceNEWS.com.au.

Published:Monday, 17th Jun 2024
Author: Paige Estritori

Please Note: We do not endorse any specific products or companies. Some content is sourced from third parties, including press releases, and may not be independently verified for accuracy or completeness.

Share this news item:

Rate this article

0 Comments

No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts.

Insurance News

Inquiry Delay Keeps Tradie Insurance Pressures in View
Inquiry Delay Keeps Tradie Insurance Pressures in View
28 Oct 2026: Paige Estritori
A federal parliamentary inquiry into small business insurance has pushed back its reporting date from 27 October 2026 to 26 February 2027, extending the wait for recommendations on issues that directly affect many Australian trade businesses. The inquiry is examining the provision, regulation and pricing of modern insurance products for small businesses and not-for-profits, including public liability, professional indemnity, cyber cover and business interruption. - read more
Insurance Inquiry Delay Keeps Tradie Cover Concerns in Focus
Insurance Inquiry Delay Keeps Tradie Cover Concerns in Focus
28 Oct 2026: Paige Estritori
A federal parliamentary inquiry into small business insurance has reportedly pushed back its final report from 27 October 2026 to 26 February 2027, extending the wait for recommendations on insurance affordability, availability and regulation. For Australian tradies and small trade businesses, the delay matters because the inquiry is examining the types of cover many operators rely on daily, including public liability, professional indemnity, cyber risk and business interruption insurance. - read more
Broker Code Overhaul Puts Renewals and Disclosure in Focus
Broker Code Overhaul Puts Renewals and Disclosure in Focus
28 Oct 2026: Paige Estritori
A new Insurance Brokers Code of Practice has been launched by the National Insurance Brokers Association, putting clearer disclosure, renewal contact and client support standards on the agenda for Australian businesses that use brokers to arrange cover. The 2027 Code takes effect on 1 January 2027 and is designed to set out, in plainer language, what clients should be able to expect from subscribing insurance brokers. - read more
Income Protection Complaints Remain a Key Life Insurance Pressure Point
Income Protection Complaints Remain a Key Life Insurance Pressure Point
28 Oct 2026: Paige Estritori
The Australian Financial Complaints Authority’s latest annual review has put income protection insurance back in focus, with the product again attracting the highest number of life insurance complaints in 2025-26. The figures are a useful reminder that the real value of cover is tested not at purchase, but when illness or injury interrupts a person’s capacity to earn. - read more
Farm Flood Dispute Shows the Cost of Delayed Claims Handling
Farm Flood Dispute Shows the Cost of Delayed Claims Handling
28 Oct 2026: Paige Estritori
A recent Australian Financial Complaints Authority determination involving a flooded farmhouse has put claims handling back under the microscope for rural policyholders, after the insurer was ordered to pay almost $432,000 across building repairs, additional temporary accommodation, professional costs and compensation for non-financial loss. The decision, dated 27 August 2026 and reported by Insurance News on 15 October 2026, is a useful reminder that the practical aftermath of a farm flood can extend well beyond the first clean-up. - read more


Cyber Insurance Articles

Cyber Insurance 101: What Every Australian Business Owner Needs to Know
Cyber Insurance 101: What Every Australian Business Owner Needs to Know
Cyber insurance, also known as cyber liability insurance, is a type of coverage designed to protect businesses from the financial repercussions of cyber attacks and data breaches. As cyber threats become more sophisticated, the need for a safety net to mitigate the impact of such incidents has grown significantly. - read more
Understanding the Importance of Cyber Insurance in the Digital Age
Understanding the Importance of Cyber Insurance in the Digital Age
As we dive deeper into the digital era, the topic of cyber security becomes increasingly critical. With businesses and individuals relying heavily on digital technologies, the threat of cyber attacks looms larger than ever. This introductory section aims to unpack the concept of cyber insurance as a tool to mitigate these risks. - read more
Navigating the Aftermath: Your Cyber Attack Recovery Roadmap
Navigating the Aftermath: Your Cyber Attack Recovery Roadmap
In an age where digital presence intertwines with daily operations, the threat landscape in Australia has magnified, exposing businesses to an evolving array of cyber threats. From sophisticated phishing attempts to ransomware attacks, the risk of digital insecurity looms large. Australia, with its growing technological adoption, finds itself facing an upsurge in cyber threat incidents year over year. - read more
Protecting Your Business from Online Threats: The Benefits of Cyber Insurance
Protecting Your Business from Online Threats: The Benefits of Cyber Insurance
In today's digital age, businesses are increasingly becoming more vulnerable to online threats. Cyber attacks are not just limited to large corporations. Small businesses are also at risk and can suffer severe financial losses due to cyber threats. It is essential for small businesses to invest in cyber insurance. Cyber insurance offers protection against online threats, providing financial assistance if a company experiences a data breach, cyber attack, or other forms of cybercrime. - read more
Before You Apply for Cyber Insurance: What You’ll Be Asked (and What It Really Means)
Before You Apply for Cyber Insurance: What You’ll Be Asked (and What It Really Means)
Cyber insurance is one of the most valuable business covers available today, but it is also one of the most confusing to apply for. Many business owners expect it to work like other insurance types, where you provide basic details such as turnover, industry, and location, then receive a quote. Cyber insurance is different. It behaves less like a simple application and more like a risk interview. - read more

Knowledgebase
Reinsurance:
Insurance that an insurance company purchases from another insurance company to mitigate risk.