4 Tips to Improve Psychological Safety in the Workplace
Visit https://www.aitkenlegal.com.au to find out more and SUBSCRIBE for more employment law tips.
Mental illness costs the Australian economy billions of dollars every year, due to a combination of presenteeism, absenteeism and workers’ compensation claims.
I’m Kate Simpson from Aitken Legal and in this video I am going to look at ways to improve psychological safety in the workplace.
Managing an employee who is suffering from a mental illness can be incredibly complex, particularly when the condition is allegedly work-related.
Employers will be aware that under workplace health and safety legislation, they are required to eliminate or minimise work-related risk to the health and safety of workers, so far as is reasonably practicable – this includes psychological health and safety. This means that employers must identify the risks, implement appropriate controls, and act quickly if a psychological risk is identified or an incident occurs.
To assist you, here are our top 4 tips in relation to some common risks:
The first risk is ‘position clarity’– You should implement position descriptions, and let employees know what is required for them to be successful in the position. Encourage open communication, so that employees can let you know if they are feeling underworked or overworked.
The second risk is ‘bullying and harassment’ – You should ensure that you have policies and that you conduct training in relation to bullying and harassment. Select your leadership team carefully and ensure they demonstrate appropriate conduct, as they set the standard for other employees.
The third risk is ‘workplace conflict’ – Ensure you have a constructive yet flexible conflict resolution procedure in place. Address issues promptly as they arise, and do not allow them time to worsen.
The fourth risk is a ‘lack of work-life balance’ – consider requests from employees for flexibility work arrangements and encourage employees to take annual leave to ensure that they are sufficiently rested.
The lawyers at Aitken Legal can assist you to understand your obligations under workplace health and safety laws and to improve psychological safety in your workplace. We can also provide you with support and guidance if an issue arises. If you need advice in relation to psychological safety, contact Aitken Legal to speak with an experienced employment lawyer.
#psychologicalsafety #psychologicalhealth #employmentlaw #employmentlawyer