In Kozarov v Victoria [2022] HCA 12 (Kozarov), the High Court decided an employer had a common law duty to take reasonable steps to manage mental health risks inherent to an employee’s job.
The psycho-social aspects of workplace safety have become increasingly important in recent years. There are now multiple guidelines and standards at international, national and state levels to guide employers in reviewing their response, including a new ISO Standard 45003. The aim is to deliver better psychological hazard control measures and enable managers to better understand their obligations to protect employees psychological health. This would include review of work design, role clarity, job demands, systems of work, change management, the challengers of remote and socially isolated work, as well as the more familiar examples of negative personal and work-related interactions such as bullying and harassment.
In this webinar, our experts discuss these issues with particular reference to the regulatory changes in Victoria from Jul 1: the OH&S Amendment (Psychological Health) and the model WH&S Laws in place elsewhere federally.
Speakers:
- Steve Bell, Managing Partner - Employment, Industrial Relations and Safety, Herbert Smith Freehills
- Dr Rachel Lewis, Occupational Psychologist
- David Ball, Consulting Engagement Director
- Dr Andrew Ebringer, Regional Medical Director (moderator)