Increased Workplace bullying claims in 2026

Increased Workplace bullying claims – Workplace bullying claims surge as return‑to‑office strains bite

This article published in HRD magazine stated that.

“Australian employers are facing a disturbing surge in psychological injury claims linked to bullying and harassment, with new Allianz Australia data suggesting the problem is now deeply embedded in workplace culture rather than confined to “a few bad apples”.

Across Allianz’s national workers’ compensation portfolio, the proportion of active claims caused by bullying and harassment has jumped 75.7% between 2021 and 2025.”

The article details the data in relation to;

* The overall increase in bullying and harassment based complaints

* The percentage of claims relating workplace bullying and harassment

* The overall claims lodged by employees aged 50–60

* The increased claims ledged by younger workers

* Increased claims are being driven by workers feeling more confident in reporting issues.

* “The return to office has exposed a kind of “social rust” in many workplaces, as employees who have spent years in remote or hybrid environments relearn how to interact face‑to‑face.”

* “The effects of lockdowns and COVID-19 mean that probably some of those social professional behaviours have been a little bit lost.”

Increased Workplace bullying claims – What can employers do?

Be proactive

1. Train your staff to be aware of what bullying and harassment are and also to understand sexual harassment and discrimination.

2. Ensure that the training provides guidance on what employees should do if they are subjected to bullying. harassment sexual harassment and discrimination.

3. Ensure that the training provides guidance on what employees should do if they witness someone else being subjected to bullying. harassment sexual harassment and discrimination

4. Train your HR staff on how to manage complaints in the first instance

Also be reactive

1. Have a trusted reporting mechanism for reporting bullying and harassment in place. Trust come from taking action.

2.. Have a timely and professional investigation process in place to respond to bullying and harassment complaints. (Contact me for details of the February Open Conducting Workplace Investigation Training course)

3. If matters are going to be investigated internally ensure that the people conducting the investigation are full trained in best practice workplace investigation methods including conducting trauma informed/person centric investigations.

How can AWPTI help you

Workplace Investigations

AWPTI can provide professional timely and legally compliant investigation services into all types of complaint or forms of misconduct- click here for details

Training

Click on the program for full details;

For employees

For Managers

Management Essentials that includes
- Reasonable management Action (RMA).
- Performance Management to avoid proven complaints against the manager.
- Basic Dispute Resolution Interventions
- Dealing with misconduct and complaint
- Understanding & dealing with sexual harassment in the workplace

For HR professionals – For organisations with 3 of more participants