Queensland Mental Health Commission among saddest public outfits Working for Queensland survey reveals

Staff at a government body designed to improve the mental health of Queenslanders have reported high levels of bullying and burnout. SEARCH THE INTERACTIVE

A state government body whose main function is to improve the “mental health and wellbeing” of Queenslanders has among the highest ongoing experiences of workplace bullying and burn out a public service survey has revealed.

The Queensland Mental Health Commission, with about 26 employees, is among the unhappiest of government bodies according to Courier-Mail analysis of the Working for Queensland survey.

The results are so bad a spokeswoman for the QMHC confirmed the issues are being taken “very seriously”.

A deep dive of the Working for Queensland survey, done with the aid of Google Pinpoint, revealed staff at some of the state’s largest hospital and health services reported the highest rate of workplace bullying in the last 12 months.

The ‘tower of power’, 1 William Street, where many of the state’s public servants work. Picture David Clark

But the QMHC, at 14 per cent, had the highest rate of staff experiencing ongoing bullying.

Nearly a quarter of employees at the small organisation reported wanting to “leave my position as soon as possible”.

Less than a quarter recommended the QMHC as a “great place to work”.

A third of staff reported feeling “burned out” always or often, with a similar number saying they always or often were given “unachievable deadlines”.

The role of mental health commission is to “drive ongoing reform towards a more integrated, evidence-based, recovery-oriented mental health, alcohol and other drug service system in Queensland” according to its website.

A QMHC spokeswoman confirmed it was “highly concerned” about the survey results and acknowledge the concerns staff had expressed.

“(We) understand the importance of a safe and mentally healthy workplace,” she said.

“We have taken the results very seriously and we are committed to doing better for the wellbeing of all of our staff.

“The current leadership team is taking steps to improve workplace culture, increase staffing levels, review workload issues and address staff concerns.”

Queensland Parliament Building. Picture: NCA NewsWire / John Gass

The only other organisation with results similar to or worse than the QMHC was the Office of the Inspector General of Emergency Management.

The results of the 2022 edition of the Working for Queensland survey were released on August 4, nearly a year after workers filled the questionnaire.

The delay was blamed on the need to present the data differently after a $2.128m revamp.

The Information Commissioner, the Queensland College of Teachers (QCT), the Ombudsman and GOMA staff are among the happiest and most satisfied public servants in the state with between 89 and 84 per cent recommending their organisation “as a great place” to work.

The Queensland Family and Child Commission had the largest share — 81 per cent — of workers that were “always” or “often” proud of the work they do, followed by the QCT, South West HHS and the Public Service Commission.

It was revealed last week 40 per cent of public servants aren’t confident reports they make about unethical behaviour would be managed appropriately according to the Working for Queensland survey.

In a number of large agencies, including Metro North Hospital and Health Service, Queensland Ambulance, and Corrective Services, less than 50 per cent are confident unethical behaviour would be properly managed.