Injury and Illness support

PWSS is committed to supporting ill or injured MOP(S) Act employees through tailored support and interventions.

PWSS is committed to creating a safe and healthy working environment for MOP(S) Act employees. PWSS provides an early intervention program that reduces the risk of workplace injury and illness through an integrated approach focused on preventing workplace harm, promoting positive aspects of work and supporting employees who require assistance.

Early intervention is about acting early to minimise the impact and duration of emerging symptoms of workplace injury and helps employees access early and appropriate treatment and support.

Early intervention is important for both physical and psychological health conditions and can include access to:

Early intervention is also able to support employees with non-work related illnesses or injuries that impact their ability to participate fully in the workplace.

Managers play an important role in supporting staff wellbeing. They can help staff identify early symptoms of physical or psychological workplace injury and refer them to early intervention services to minimise the impact and duration of the illness or injury.

Early intervention is most effective if it occurs on the first day symptoms occur however, may still be effective in the following few weeks or months. Rehabilitation should start as soon as practical once an injury or illness appears. 

In some instances where an injury has already occurred or been present for a while, workers compensation may be a more appropriate avenue for support.

Benefits of early intervention

Early intervention programs have been found to have a positive effect for employees, including:

  • improved recovery outcomes
  • increased capacity to remain at work
  • reduced length of time away from work
  • reduced likelihood of further absence due to sickness.

Resources

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Ergonomic and Worksite Assessments

A worksite assessment can be face to face or virtual. They assist in the prevention of workplace injury and support MOP(S) Act employees who may require specific ergonomic equipment.
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Workplace Adjustments

Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, employers have obligations to make adjustments to accommodate an individual’s disability, unless that adjustment would result in unjustifiable hardship. A reasonable workplace adjustment is a change to a work process, practice, procedure or environment that enables an employee to perform their job and minimises the impact of their disability. A disability can be sensory, intellectual, physical or psychosocial.
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Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for MOP(S) Act employees and parliamentarians

Current MOP(S) Act employees and parliamentarians, and their immediate family and household members, have access to free, professional and confidential counselling through an Employee Assistance Program. If you are not a MOP(S) Act employee or a parliamentarian, you are unable to access this service. Please seek advice from your employer about whether they provide an EAP service.
Policy

PWSS Early Intervention Policy

The PWSS Early Intervention policy provides guidance to parliamentarians and MOP(S) Act employees on the early intervention supports that are generally available if an employee sustains a work-related physical or psychological illness or injury. It also includes guidance for employees in deciding whether to disclose a disability.
Policy

Fatigue Management Policy - April 2025

The Fatigue Management policy provides a framework which aims at preventing, or minimizing, risks to the health and safety of employees. It identifies hazards and risks associated within the workplace and recommends a management plan to mitigate these.