The NSW opposition stated that a big jump in the number of workers compensation claims being made by caseworkers from the Department of Family and Community Services should be a cause for alarm.
Recently released figures from the department’s annual report reveal that the amount of caseworkers lodging claims has increased by almost a third this year.
Psychological injury remains prime reason for workers seeking out compensations. Psychological injury accounts for approximately a third of all claims.
New figures from the department’s annual report show that the number of caseworkers lodging claims in the past year has increased by almost a third.
Spokesperson for the opposition Linda Burney, attributes the figures to coworkers being stressed by a system that has too many vacant positions.
She called on the Minister for Community Services, Pru Goward, to take notice.
“Pru Goward refuses to reveal what the vacancy rates are. We know that vacancy rates are up to 40 per cent in the western parts of New South Wales and some parts of western Sydney,” Burney said.
“If there are vacancy rates of 40 per cent that means caseworkers are under enormous stress, because they are trying to cover those vacancy rates.”
A spokesman for Goward has disputed the accuracy of the Opposition’s vacancy rate figures, stating that there had been no reduction in the number of child protection workers since the Government came into power.
The Minister requested a full briefing on workers compensation from the head of the department.
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Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-12-06/docs-workers-compensation-claims-leap/4412032?section=nsw
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