The Returning to work during COVID-19 report provides insights, both positive and negative, on what it was like for workers making a return to work during the pandemic.

Of note, the report found Victoria had the largest proportion of injured or ill workers significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic (26.4 per cent), followed by NSW (21.6 per cent), ACT (20.6 per cent), Tasmania (19.1 per cent) and Queensland (18.5 per cent).

Other key findings of the report include:

• One in five injured or ill workers said the COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on their return to work and recovery.
• Workers suffering from a psychological injury and those experiencing distress were more likely to report that the COVID-19 pandemic had impacted their recovery and return to work. Only 11.2 per cent of workers said the COVID-19 pandemic made their return to work easier. This proportion was even lower for those with a psychological injury.
• The largest impacts on workers from COVID-19 on their return to work were limited access to social and family support, limited access to treatments and limited access to mental health support.
• Injured workers under the age of 25 were the most likely to respond they had been stood down or had their hours reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is in line with labour force findings that people in younger age groups experienced larger decreases in employment during COVID-19 .
• Despite the overall negative influence of the COVID-19 pandemic, there were some positives; 18.3 per cent of those with a psychological injury and 20.3 per cent with a physical injury reported that the COVID-19 pandemic positively impacted their recovery.

More information can be found via the Returning to work during COVID-19 snapshot.

The snapshot helps guide the guide the delivery of the National Return to Work Strategy 2020-2030, aimed at helping employees return back to work, or to stay at work while they recover from work-related injury or illness.

How the Victorian Chamber can help

As an employer, you have a legal, financial and moral obligation to make sure your employees are safe from physical and psychological harm.

The Victorian Chamber offers a comprehensive range of health, safety and wellbeing (HSW) consulting, training and product packages.

For more information, and HSW support please contact us on 03 8662 5333 or hsw@victorianchamber.com.au to discuss your needs.