Cases of workers suffering mental health disorder and taking leave of absence have been on the rise. Their illnesses are often triggered by strong stress at work. The data disclosed by the Labor Ministry in June 2024 show both the number of accident compensation insurance claims related to mental disorder and the number of cases where benefit payment was approved have been increasing. This article looks at the disclosed data and consider what measures companies are required to take.
[1] Workers’ accident compensation related to mental disorder
The figure below shows the status of workers’ accident compensation. The number of claims in fiscal 2023 was 3,575, increasing by 892 from 2,683 in the previous year. The figure hit a record and exceeded 3,000 for the first time.
The number of approved cases was 883, increasing 173 from 710 in a year ago and also a record high. The four sectors that saw largest numbers of approved cases were social insurance, social welfare and nursing businesses, which had 112 cases, medical services with 105 cases, general construction businesses with 57 cases, and road freight transport, which logged 56 cases. The data indicate that many cases occurred in the medical and welfare sectors. The ratio of approved cases was 34.2%. This means one out of three claims was recognized as work-related accident.
Figure: Trend in accident compensation claims related to mental disorder
[2] Specific examples
Accident insurance compensation is paid after examining specific events leading up to illnesses. Following are common events behind the cases.
1. Received power harassment from superiors, such as physical or phycological assaults (157 cases)
2. Experienced or witnessed tragic accidents or disasters related to work (111 cases)
3. Received sexual harassment (103 cases)
4. Experienced events that caused major changes in assigned duties or work volumes (100 cases)
5. Had special circumstances (71 cases)
6. Received physical assaults or serious harassment from colleagues (59 cases)
Among the 883 approved cases, 157 cases resulted from superiors’ harassment. Many companies have implemented measures to prevent power harassment, but the problem still remains in various industries. It is vital to continue preventive actions, e.g. holding educational seminars regularly or encouraging managers to establish relationships between each other to be able to advise one another on inappropriate behaviors.
[Reference]
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
“Prevention of workplace harassment (sexual harassment, harassment related to pregnancy, childbirth or childcare leave, power harassment)
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/koyou_roudou/koyoukintou/seisaku06/index.html
*The information is based on laws and regulations as of the date of this article.
