Mental Health Issues Now #1 Workplace Injury

If you’ve ever held down a job, you know that work can be very stressful. But how bad is it really? Apparently, chronic stress, anxiety, and burnout are so pervasive nowadays that mental health issues are now considered to be the top injury in the workplace.

Toxic workplaces are no longer just a buzzword; they have become a health crisis. Statistics show that 87% of employees are employed in toxic work cultures, with 79% reporting work-induced mental illness.

Workplace anxiety is on the rise and it’s getting so bad that employees don’t want to come in to work. A survey showed that 40% of workers are experiencing workplace anxiety. Most say it is triggered by going into the office or having conversations in the office.

In the past, employees had to worry about workplace accidents such as slips and falls, machinery accidents, lifting injuries, and carpal tunnel syndrome. While these issues still exist in the workplace, mental health issues are now leading the pack. Mental health issues have gotten so bad in the past few years that they are now the top workplace injury.

More than 50% of workers are experiencing issues such as stress and anxiety. Google searches for “burnout” rose by 63% in September. And it’s not just employees feeling the stress. Middle managers are also seeing high levels of stress and anxiety, with 43% reporting burnout. This is actually the most of all worker groups.

Data from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and Google Trends show the following statistics:

• Ten percent of workers experience mental health issues due to their work.
• The highest number of workplace injuries (52%) are due to anxiety and stress.
• Mental health issues are 10 times more common than chemical exposure and health nine times more common than head injuries.

Close to 20% of employees have been physically injured at work, with only 26% of them filing workers’ compensation claims. In addition, 40% of employers don’t offer disability insurance. So it seems as though injured workers are not getting the compensation and other assistance they need to fully recover from their workplace injuries. 

Studies have seen strong relationships between schedules, convenience, and workplace safety. More than 25% of those surveyed were willing to adjust their work schedules to increase safety. In addition, 30% of respondents were willing to forgo convenience in favor of increased workplace safety.

Contact Us for More Information About Workers’ Compensation Benefits

Mental health issues are not easy to see and identify, unlike physical injuries. Getting compensation for them can be extremely difficult.

A White Plains workers’ compensation lawyer from The Law Office of Michael Lawrence Varon can help you get compensation for your mental health issues, especially if they are making it difficult for you to work and earn income. Schedule a free initial consultation to learn more. Call (914) 228-1770 or fill out the online form.

Source:

forbes.com/sites/bryanrobinson/2023/10/09/mental-health-issues-soar-to-number-1-workplace-injury/?sh=41fafc426c4c