The gift of support: Stay connected this holiday season
The holiday season is a time for connection, kindness and reflection. However, it can be a difficult time for businesses and injured workers recovering away from the workplace.
There is help and support available for workers and your business. A simple check-in can go a long way in showing your support and helping workers feel valued and supported.
Best practice
Seek the help and support you need to look after workers and your business.
Support your workers this holiday season by:
- reaching out with genuine care and having a meaningful conversation about how the worker is coping and feeling
- confirming with your insurer that scheduled payments will continue
- sharing details of mental health and wellbeing services and asking if there is any other support they may need over the holidays.
Why this is important
While many look forward to the holidays, for others this time can be challenging with 75 per cent of Australians feeling elevated levels of distress ahead of the season.
Financial pressures, family tension, and loneliness may be amplified, especially for businesses working extended hours across the festive season or for workers recovering away from their usual work routine and support network.
What actions can I take now?
- Connect in with WCIAS for Employers to get the help and support you need to navigate the workers’ compensation process.
- Check in with your workers, a thoughtful message or call can make a big difference. Ask how they’re doing and what support they might need. This can be as simple as saying ‘I hope that you are okay. Let me know what support you need and how you would like me to stay in touch.’
- Encourage workers away from work to:
- stay in touch with friends, family or community groups. Volunteering may also lift spirits and provide purpose and meaning
- find balance by engaging in activities they love and find relaxing, and making space for movement and downtime
- stay healthy by eating well, moving regularly, sleeping consistently, and indulging with moderation.
- Lead the way – role model healthy behaviours to support a healthy workplace culture.
Your toolkit
Help and support for you and your business:
- Workers’ Compensation Information Advisory Service for Employers
- Small Business Support Network
- Small business financial counsellors and rural financial counsellors – Free financial support to business owners who are experiencing or at risk of financial hardship.
- Business Concierge – local representatives servicing your region connect you with the right information on programs and services to support your unique situation.
Support services for you and your workers:
- 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 9pm, 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.