Central Safety Group Melbourne

July 2022

Return to Work – What research is telling us

Presentation by: Dr Carys Chan, Research Fellow, Centre for Work, Organisation and Wellbeing, Griffith University

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What are the psychological effects of workplace injury? How can an understanding of this help employers support workers’ return to work? Research findings on this were discussed in a presentation to Central Safety Group on 12 July by Dr Carys Chan of Griffith University, one of the authors of a recent paper commissioned by Safe Work Australia.

The aim was to advance knowledge and generate recommendations for Safe Work Australia’s National Return to Work Strategy 2020-2030. Safe Work Australia develops national policy to improve WHS and workers’ compensation arrangements across Australia.

Carys and her team of fellow researchers did a detailed investigation of both published scientific literature and current organisational practices regarding employees’ psychological responses to injuries and illnesses resulting in an absence from work. The paper on their findings was published last year.

Her presentation highlighted the main findings on the types and prevalence of psychological reactions by workers, who have sustained an injury or illness. She discussed what can increase the risk of these reactions, as well as practical processes employers can put in place to support workers in this situation.

The presenter:

Dr Carys Chan holds a PhD in Organisational Behaviour & Human Resources from the ANU and is a Research Fellow with the Centre for Work, Organisation and Wellbeing (WOW) at Griffith University, Brisbane. Carys is also a Senior Lecturer in Human Resources and Organisational Behaviour at the Department of Employment Relations and Human Resources (ERHR) within Griffith University. Her research interests include work-life balance, flexible/remote working, self-efficacy, work-related stress and burnout, and leader–subordinate interactions. Alongside her research, she teaches postgraduate and undergraduate courses at the interface of business and psychology.