Government’s support packages for businesses after Bondi tragedy

After the recent tragedy at Bondi Junction, the NSW government has pledged to supply packages to support workers and shop owners at the Westfield mall.

The NSW government is providing a package of workplace resources for workers and businesses at Westfield Bondi Junction as shops begin to reopen. Westfield management has been in correspondence with the Australian Retailers Association and the Retail and Fast Food Workers Union to help ensure support for the workers is responsive and coordinated.

Dealing with the trauma and grief that arises after what was a horrific incident can be a long road for workers, especially when the healing journey requires them to return to the workplace where the incident happened.

According to Dr Cathy Kezelman, president of the Blue Knot Foundation: “Trauma is an event or events that overwhelm our capacity to cope. Trauma is also the impact of that event or events. Many people are familiar with PTSD, which is associated with the trauma of a single incident or one-off event. Trauma can affect people’s mental and physical health, their relationships, self-esteem and ability to hold down a job and perform their role to their best.”

“A workplace that is safe, empowering, open and transparent and which treats workers with respect can mean people are not so readily triggered and reduce the level of stress and additional trauma experienced. Honest communication and support go a long way, as does a sense of being understood and accepted.”

It’s crucial that the support is made available to workers and businesses during this time and throughout the entire process. Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis has tasked SafeWork NSW with creating a package of psychological health and safety support for businesses with fewer than 200 employees, including:

• A free advice service for these employers, which includes confidential one-on-one sessions with an expert on psychological health and safety.
• Free mental health training to ensure workers in these businesses have the practical knowledge and skills to support their own mental health and look out for their colleagues.

Along with these measures, returning to work can be the initial roadblock, and when workers are still riddled with grief, it can be a sorrow-filled task. When returning to the workplace, one must prepare themselves for the challenges that await in terms of grieving at work.

Pathways listed some personal strategies that can ease you back into your job:

• Adjust expectations: Adjust expectations of yourself at work to reduce stress while you come to terms with your loss. You may not be as productive or focused on the job, and that’s alright.
• Make time for yourself and your grief at work: When you first return to work, you may need to be intentional about taking breaks to feel your emotions fully. Setting aside time in your workday to grieve and process your feelings can help manage grief at work.
• Be honest and honour your feelings: As you move through the stages of grief, you will feel a range of emotions, like sorrow and anger. Try not to place judgement on these feelings, and simply let yourself process the emotion.
• Determine your needs for support and privacy: Determine your comfort level with team members knowing about your grief and communicate that to your manager. Learn about employee mental health benefits and grief support resources if you want to receive support privately.

The aura of this tragedy will linger for a long time. Although support systems are in place now, consistent check-ups must be sustained for workers returning to Westfield. This is something that the NSW government has co-signed: “[We] will continue to engage with all stakeholders to help ensure those impacted by the tragic incident are provided with support.”

The state insurer, icare, is also providing additional psychological support services to assist employees and supplement the employee assistance program (EAP) service provided by Westfield’s retail employers.

Cotsis provided comments of support for those involved in the incident: “Please be kind, gentle and sensitive to workers and shop owners today and in the days to come. Everyone reacts to these moments in different ways, and some workers may find it difficult to return to work.

“The NSW government is in for the long haul, supporting all the workers and shop owners today and into the future. Many retail workers are under the age of 25, and it’s vital we listen to them and learn from them what more we can do to support them now and into the future.”

icare has also already begun processing claims and assisting those affected. It covers the majority of employees in NSW. The NSW government has stated: “If you were at work and have been impacted by this incident and you need assistance with workers’ compensation, please call icare on 13 77 22”.