'Soldier on': workers face rising abuse and bullying

Key points

• Regional workers face higher rates of mental injury claims than their metropolitan counterparts, according to new workers' compensation data from Allianz Insurance. Mental injury claims made up 19 per cent of regional claims, compared with 13 per cent in metro areas.
• Stress was the leading cause, followed by bullying or harassment and workplace violence. A YouGov survey commissioned by the insurer found more than 700,000 regional workers were considering leaving their jobs within a year.
• Allianz's Brianna Cattanach said employers need to engage local support services and recognise personal pressures affecting their staff.