Workplace Stress vs Outcomes: Cases in the NSW Public Service examines four case studies in the Australian Public Service in the State of New South Wales (NSW) - Australia's largest state. In short, the capacity or incapacity of state-level service-to-service demand is an indicator of the type of society that is being constructed by federal macro-economic policy. Throughout this book, occupational stress will be discussed as a response to poor job design and adverse organizational characteristics. At its most extreme, occupational stress refers to mental disorder claims - or claims for work-related psychological injury also known as 'stress claims'.

The conclusion seeks to weave the threads of neoliberal theory and the job demand control support model of occupational stress with the evidence presented in each of these four case studies. It is concluded that neoliberal policies substantially contributed to increased demand or work intensification, loss of control, and the erosion of social support networks in all four of these departments. It includes cases such as: The NSW Department of Health; The NSW Department of School Education; The NSW Department of Community Service; and, The NSW Police.