Vulnerable Workers in Hospitality and Retail

6 September 2024

It’s generally acknowledged that psychosocial injuries are significantly underrepresented in retail and hospitality workers’ compensation data. While psychosocial injuries typically account for nearly 10% of all workers’ compensation claims across various industries, in comparison they accounted for less than 1% of accepted claims in retail and hospitality during the 2023-24 financial year.

This discrepancy is likely to be partly due to the prevalence of vulnerable workers in these industries.

Vulnerable workers are less likely to report WHS concerns for a number of reasons including:

  • fear of job loss
  • language barriers
  • not wanting to draw attention to themselves, and
  • a lack of awareness of their rights.

We also know that psychosocial hazards are underreported more broadly:

  • there is stigma associated with mental health issues,
  • psychosocial hazards can be subjective and less visible than physical hazards making them challenging to manage,
  • a lack of awareness and understanding of what constitutes a psychosocial hazard.

Supporting vulnerable workers in the retail and hospitality industries

Vulnerable workers face a higher risk of work-related injury and illness and therefore require extra support. Key areas PCBUs can better support their vulnerable workers include:

  • Comprehensive Induction and training: Training should go beyond job-specific tasks to include a thorough understanding of WHS rights and responsibilities, as well as familiarization with workplace facilities and processes.
  • Encourage open reporting: Establish and promote effective reporting mechanisms that empower workers to confidently report any concerns or incidents.
  • Effective supervision: Supervision helps ensure work is done safely, and also creates comfortable communication channels between workers and their supervisors allowing for the easy escalation of issues.

Further information:

For more information on managing psychosocial hazards and supporting vulnerable workers visit the WorkSafe ACT website:

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