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"Very real" workplace tensions played a large part in an employee's mental health deteriorating, but the main cause was a "raft" of personal issues, a commission has ruled.

The Waverley Council employee sought workers' compensation for the aggravation of her major depressive and post-traumatic stress disorders, allegedly caused by workplace bullying and harassment.

She told the NSW Personal Injury Commission that when she complained about this conduct, managers seemed disinterested or would disregard her reports, which made her feel worthless.

During her employment, she said, she felt judged and targeted due to her appearance and history (she was convicted of her former husband's manslaughter and spent eight years in jail); she was disrespected, discriminated against and victimised because she was a woman; and she was "unjustifiably blamed for any problems that arose"...