Support your workers’ wellbeing this holiday season

The end of the year can bring a mix of emotions and pressures. Check in with injured workers away from the workplace to see how they’re going, show them you genuinely care and provide information on how to get further support if they need it.

Best practice

Support your injured workers over the holiday season by checking in with them, talking to your insurer to ensure scheduled payments continue and providing workers with information about where to go for further support if needed.

Why this is important

The end of the year can bring a mix of emotions and pressures. For some, it's a time of celebration or relaxation, but others may experience increased stress or anxiety relating to finances or relationships.

Injured workers recovering away from the workplace may also experience loneliness and isolation if they have limited social support outside of their work.

What actions can I take now?

Check in with injured workers away from the workplace to see how they’re going, show them you genuinely care and provide information on how to get further support if they need it.

You may like to remind them to:

• Set realistic expectations: It’s okay not to have a 'perfect' holiday season. Aim for a balance between activity and rest.
• Stay connected: Reach out to friends, family and/or support networks. Volunteer, attend community events, and/or offer support to others, especially those who may be alone during the holidays. Helping others may have a positive impact on their own wellbeing.
• Take time for themselves: Engage in activities that they enjoy and find relaxing, such as reading, walking or just having a quiet moment. If they’re feeling overwhelmed, take a step back and practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation.
• Stay healthy: Eat well, exercise, get regular sleep and drink in moderation.

Alleviate financial stress for workers receiving workers’ compensation benefits by checking with your insurer that their payments will continue as scheduled over the holiday season.

Your toolkit

Mental health support services you can access or share with others:

• Lifeline – Call 13 11 14 at all times for crisis support over the holiday season.
• Beyond Blue – Call 1300 224 636.
• Workers’ Psychological Support Service – A free, confidential and independent call back support service for Queensland workers affected by a work-related mental injury. Call 1800 370 732 (during business hours) or email info@wpss.org.au. Please note, this is not a crisis service.
• Suicide Call Back Service – A national telehealth provider that offers free professional phone and online counselling for people living in Australia, available at all times. Call 1300 659 467.
• 1300 MH CALL – A confidential mental health telephone service to link Queenslanders to public mental health services. Call 1300 642 255.
• QLife (LGBTIQ+) – Available 3pm to midnight, seven days. Call 1800 184 527.
• Kids Helpline – A free online and phone counselling service for teens and young people aged up to 25, available at all times. Call 1800 55 1800.
• MATES in Construction – Supports workers in construction and mining through peer support, suicide awareness and connecting workers to mental health support services. Call 1300 642 111.

For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples:

• 13 Yarn Crisis Support – Crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, available at all times. Call 13 92 76.
• Brother to Brother 24-hour crisis line – Call 1800 435 799.
• WellMob – Social, emotional and cultural wellbeing online resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.
• Black Dog Institute – Offers a list of support services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Domestic and family violence support:

• 1800 RESPECT – National domestic, family and sexual violence counselling, information and support service, available at all times. Call 1800 737 732.

Emergency service workers:

• The National Emergency Worker Support Service offers free and confidential mental health support for emergency service workers and volunteers (both active and retired).

Financial hardship:

• Centrelink
• Your superannuation fund
• The Salvation Army Australia Emergency Relief – Call 1300 371 288.

Helpful resources for you and managers and supervisors at your workplace:

• Safe Work Australia Conversation Guide – This useful guide can help you to manage the relationship with an ill or injured worker, including a worker with a mental injury.
• Return to Work – Dealing with a distressed employee – 'Dos' and 'don'ts' for having a conversation with a worker with a mental injury.
• RU OK – How to ask and RU OK Workplace Resources.