Workplace harassment and bullying account for 38 per cent of accepted workers’ compensation claims for mental stress in the ACT, according to WorkSafe ACT.

New data shows 271 mental stress claims were accepted over 2023-24 and 2024-25, making mental stress the sixth most common workplace injury mechanism recorded.

The health care and social assistance sector accounted for the largest share of claims at 31 per cent, followed by professional, scientific and technical services (13 per cent) and education and training (10 per cent).

Women accounted for 62 per cent of accepted mental stress claims, while workers aged 25-34 recorded the highest proportion of claims among age groups.

WorkSafe ACT says employers have a legal duty to identify and manage psychosocial hazards, including bullying, harassment, excessive work demands and poor workplace practices.

Employers must eliminate psychosocial risks where reasonably practicable or minimise them where elimination is not possible, and regularly review the effectiveness of their safety measures.

News all day, every day at CityNewsQBN.com.au.