Recently, many companies experience employees’ absence or taking leave due to mental health problems, although the number varies depending on company sizes. In some cases, their mental problems are attributed to great stress at work. According to the Labour Ministry’s report released in June 2023, the number of approved industrial accident compensation cases related to mental illness has been on the rise. This article looks at the data and considers what measures companies should take.
[1] Status of for mental problems
The number of applications related to mental problems totaled 2,683 in fiscal 2022, increasing 337 from 2,346 in the previous year. Cases are thought to be growing partly because of spreading awareness of the compensation application system for mental problems.
Among the applications, the number of approved cases hit record at 710, increasing by 81 from 629 a year earlier. By industrial categories, 85 cases were submitted from social insurance, welfare and nursing care industries, while 79 cases were filed from medical services businesses, and 37 cases came from the road freight transport field. The approval rate was 35.8% with one out of three applications were recognized as industrial accidents.
[2] Specific events
In determining cases as industrial accidents, whether there were specific situations leading to the mental disorders is inspected. Following are common events recognized to have been behind the approved cases.
Power harassment by superiors, such as physical or psychological abuse, etc. (147 cases)
Experiencing or witnessing of tragic accidents or disasters (89 cases)
(Significant) changes in assignments or workload (78 cases)
Physical assaults, bullying or harassment by colleagues (73 cases)
Sexual harassment (66 cases)
Among the 710 approved cases, some 40% were related to power, sexual or other harassment or bullying, indicating that workplace harassment is becoming a major cause of workers’ mental health problems. The government is encouraging employers to set up a consultation desk as part of anti-harassment measures. Companies should also inform their workers about the consultation desk and make it easier for them to discuss issues or concerns before they develop into serious problems.
