WHS Insider Newsletter

WHS Insider Newsletter - Safety concerns behind strict office mandates

While recent research has unveiled a startling correlation between rigid return-to-office mandates and organisational growth, the implications for ...

WHS Insider

— 3 min read
Workplace safety team consider how safety concerns impact strict office mandates.

The WHS Insider Newsletter is sent out every Monday to work health and safety professionals and executives across Australia. Email it to co-workers and team members to stay up to date with Australian WHS laws and regulations.

Was this issue forwarded to you? Subscribe now

WHS Updates

  • SafeWork NSW host summit on managing fatigue and preventing burnout among workers in the healthcare and social assistance sector. Link
  • SafeWork NSW undertake campaign across New South Wales construction sites to improve psychological health and safety at work. Link
  • SafeWork SA launch campaign to protect retail workers from the dangers of hot weather. Link
  • SafeWork SA report record number of statutory notices and compliance actions in past financial year. Link
  • Workplace Health and Safety Queensland update their Electrical Safety Code of Practice to include managing risks when working near overhead and underground electric lines. Link
  • Workplace Health and Safety Queensland introduce new resources including a checklist for lead paint removal compliance and a site visit checklist for suspended scaffolding, while removing older resources like the guardrail installation checklist and industry comparative calculator. Link
  • WorkSafe Tasmania encourage businesses to update their workplace safety systems for 2025 with guidance available on their website. Link
  • WorkSafe Victoria remind duty holders, including employers, principal contractors and supervisors to ensure platform systems are safe after employee falls through stair void on construction site. Link

WHS Compliance

Highlight - Employee Support Services

Supporting employee wellbeing fosters a safer, more productive workplace. Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) and mental health resources provide essential support for workers facing challenges.

Benestar - Offers Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) that provide confidential counselling, wellbeing coaching, and resources to support employees' mental, physical, and emotional health. Link

WHS Information

Accessing reliable work health and safety (WHS) information is essential for Australian businesses striving to create safe and compliant workplaces.

How do you measure work health and safety (WHS) performance

Measuring work health and safety (WHS) performance is a cornerstone of effective risk management and compliance for businesses.

Beyond regulatory obligations, it ensures a safer, healthier workplace for employees, fostering trust and productivity.

But how do you measure something as multifaceted as WHS? The answer lies in a combination of data, culture, and continuous improvement. Link

Staying informed about work health and safety (WHS) trends is vital for businesses aiming to adapt to evolving risks and regulations.

Safety concerns behind strict office mandates

While recent research has unveiled a startling correlation between rigid return-to-office mandates and organisational growth, the implications for workplace health and safety could be even more concerning.

As Australian businesses grapple with post-pandemic workplace policies, new data from Revelio Labs suggests companies forcing employees back to the office are not just growing slower – they might be creating a perfect storm of workplace safety and compliance challenges.

The numbers paint a concerning picture - organisations with hybrid work policies have achieved 1.6% headcount growth since June 2022, while their office-mandating counterparts lag at just 1%.

But beneath these figures lurks a more troubling narrative about workplace safety and mental health risks that many organisations might be overlooking. Link

WHS Moves

  • Mano De Silva joins Workplace Health and Safety Queensland as Lead Inspector. Link
  • William Parry joins Safe Work Australia as Acting Director, previously serving as Assistant Director at the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. Link
  • Kirsten Hughes, an Accredited Specialist in Administrative Law, leaves WorkSafe Victoria. Link
  • Josh McGaw joins Workplace Health and Safety Queensland as Senior Investigator, previously holding the same position at WorkSafe Victoria. Link

WHS Jobs

  • Australian Government Department of Defence seek Work Health Safety and Environment Officer (APS 6) in Perth WA with a salary range of $91,702 - $104,753 per annum. Link
  • Environment Protection Authority Victoria seek a Manager, Safety & Wellbeing in Melbourne with a salary range of $134,593 - $180,115 per annum. Link
  • Queensland Government Department of Justice and Attorney-General (and Office of Public Guardian) seek a Workplace Health and Safety Officer in Brisbane with a salary range of $87,790 - $96,217 per annum. Link
  • Queensland Police Service seek a Manager, Psychosocial Health and Safety in Brisbane with a salary range of $142,760 - $150,874 per annum. Link
  • SafeWork SA seek a WHS Advisor (ASO5) in Keswick with a salary range of $85,790 - $95,413 per annum. Link
  • Wingecarribee Shire Council seek a Work Health Safety Officer in Moss Vale with a salary range of $77,406 – $89,958 per annum. Link

Thank you for reading this issue of the WHS Insider Newsletter. Email it to co-workers and team members to stay up to date with Australian WHS laws and regulations.

Gain peace of mind with a Professional or Enterprise subscription. Unlock premium content with a risk-free 7-day trial. Start today. Cancel anytime. Link

Read more