Download CommuniCorp Group, Australia

Psychological wellbeing in
the modern workplace
Comcare National Conference
September 18-19|Canberra
Merv Gilbert, PhD, RPsych
Senior Advisor
CommuniCorp Group, Australia
Organizational Health Psychologist
Gilbert Acton Ltd, Canada
Adjunct Professor,
Simon Fraser University, Canada
© CommuniCorp Group 2013. Intellectual Property of CommuniCorp Group. The presentation cannot be
copied, distributed, modified or used for commercial purposes, in whole or in part without express written
consent of CommuniCorp Group.
Contact [email protected] or 1300 855 140 for further information.
Outline and Objectives
1. Understand the nature of a psychologically safe and
healthy workplace
2. Increase awareness of the legal, financial and ethical
case for addressing workplace psychological health
3. Identify practical, effective actions that can be taken to
improve workplace psychological health
© CommuniCorp Group 2013. Intellectual Property of CommuniCorp Group. The presentation cannot be
copied, distributed, modified or used for commercial purposes, in whole or in part without express written
consent of CommuniCorp Group.
Contact [email protected] or 1300 855 140 for further information.
The Context
Canada
Australia
© CommuniCorp Group 2013. Intellectual Property of CommuniCorp Group. The presentation cannot be
copied, distributed, modified or used for commercial purposes, in whole or in part without express written
consent of CommuniCorp Group.
Contact [email protected] or 1300 855 140 for further information.
Love and work are the cornerstones of
our Humanness.
But for too many work is experienced as
contributing to poor mental health
“Therein we have one of the
fundamental paradoxes we face today:
Work is good for your mental health
and work can make you crazy”
Out of the Shadows at Last:
Transforming Mental Health, Mental Illness and Addiction Services in Canada
Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology (2006)
© CommuniCorp Group 2013. Intellectual Property of CommuniCorp Group. The presentation cannot be
copied, distributed, modified or used for commercial purposes, in whole or in part without express written
consent of CommuniCorp Group.
Contact [email protected] or 1300 855 140 for further information.
Psychological Health & Safety Matters
because ...
• They typically occur during their prime working years
– Lifetime prevalence: 33%
– Often recurring and/or chronic
– Invisible” illness with considerable stigma
• They impact cognitive, interpersonal, and motivational
skills that are essential for productive work and social
functioning
– 2/3 of adults are at work 60% of their waking hours
– leading cause of disability in Australia (24% of years
lost)
• They take an increasing portion of healthcare and other
resources
– estimated to cost Australian economy more than $20
billion
– mental stress claims accounted for 10% of all claims
but 30% of costs (mean cost per claim = $199K)
© CommuniCorp Group 2013. Intellectual Property of CommuniCorp Group. The presentation cannot be
copied, distributed, modified or used for commercial purposes, in whole or in part without express written
consent of CommuniCorp Group.
Contact [email protected] or 1300 855 140 for further information.
Why is this happening now?
•
The worker?
•
The pace and change
of work?
•
The type and location
of work?
© CommuniCorp Group 2013. Intellectual Property of CommuniCorp Group. The presentation cannot be
copied, distributed, modified or used for commercial purposes, in whole or in part without express written
consent of CommuniCorp Group.
Contact [email protected] or 1300 855 140 for further information.
Work today requires
Knowledge, courtesy, creativity, adaptability, optimism,
cooperation, ingenuity, emotional intelligence, flexibility,
humor, persistence and….
Problems typically show up
as conflict, burnout, anger, distress, errors, refusal,
resistance, deception and…
These are psychological
© CommuniCorp Group 2013. Intellectual Property of CommuniCorp Group. The presentation cannot be
copied, distributed, modified or used for commercial purposes, in whole or in part without express written
consent of CommuniCorp Group.
Contact [email protected] or 1300 855 140 for further information.
What is a psychologically
safe and healthy workplace?
•
•
•
•
•
•
Staff are proud of their organisation and care about the
work that they do
Opportunities for input into how work is done
Ongoing learning & development at all levels
Interactions are courteous and respectful
Workplace psychosocial hazards are promptly identified
and dealt with
Staff experiencing psychological distress are supported
© CommuniCorp Group 2013. Intellectual Property of CommuniCorp Group. The presentation cannot be
copied, distributed, modified or used for commercial purposes, in whole or in part without express written
consent of CommuniCorp Group.
Contact [email protected] or 1300 855 140 for further information.
An Example: Brookhaven
Extended Care Facility
© CommuniCorp Group 2013. Intellectual Property of CommuniCorp Group. The presentation cannot be
copied, distributed, modified or used for commercial purposes, in whole or in part without express written
consent of CommuniCorp Group.
Contact [email protected] or 1300 855 140 for further information.
Employers and employees
share a common interest
© CommuniCorp Group 2013. Intellectual Property of CommuniCorp Group. The presentation cannot be
copied, distributed, modified or used for commercial purposes, in whole or in part without express written
consent of CommuniCorp Group.
Contact [email protected] or 1300 855 140 for further information.
Business Case for addressing
PH&S
FINANCIAL
Big impact on productivity
LEGAL
Regulators & courts demand it
PRAGMATIC
It’s hard to solve problems with distressed workers
ETHICAL
It’s the right thing to do …
© CommuniCorp Group 2013. Intellectual Property of CommuniCorp Group. The presentation cannot be
copied, distributed, modified or used for commercial purposes, in whole or in part without express written
consent of CommuniCorp Group.
Contact [email protected] or 1300 855 140 for further information.
Some actions to improve
workplace PH&S
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Take a strategic approach
Assess and address risks to PH&S
Consider psychological job fit
Train employees in psychological safety skills
Provide timely support to staff who are struggling
© CommuniCorp Group 2013. Intellectual Property of CommuniCorp Group. The presentation cannot be
copied, distributed, modified or used for commercial purposes, in whole or in part without express written
consent of CommuniCorp Group.
Contact [email protected] or 1300 855 140 for further information.
Take a Strategic Approach
Integrated into the organizational plan, vision and values
- Commitment & communication from senior
management
-Meaningful employee involvement
-Based on a clear business case
The CommuniCorp
Psychologically Safe & Healthy Workplaces Framework
© CommuniCorp Group 2013. Intellectual Property of CommuniCorp Group. The presentation cannot be
copied, distributed, modified or used for commercial purposes, in whole or in part without express written
consent of CommuniCorp Group.
Contact [email protected] or 1300 855 140 for further information.
Assess and address PH&S risks
Most organizations have a number of policies, programs
and practices that impact employee psychological health
and safety, both positively and negatively.
- Psychological risk assessment tools (e.g. staff survey)
- Existing HR Metrics (e.g. safety reports, benefits
utilization)
© CommuniCorp Group 2013. Intellectual Property of CommuniCorp Group. The presentation cannot be
copied, distributed, modified or used for commercial purposes, in whole or in part without express written
consent of CommuniCorp Group.
Contact [email protected] or 1300 855 140 for further information.
Consider psychological job fit
Consider the psychological characteristics of work tasks
and the individual worker to ensure good job-person ‘fit’
and protect psychological health.
-Review and revise job descriptions
-Select and train for the position
-Make PH&S awareness a core competency for managers
© CommuniCorp Group 2013. Intellectual Property of CommuniCorp Group. The presentation cannot be
copied, distributed, modified or used for commercial purposes, in whole or in part without express written
consent of CommuniCorp Group.
Contact [email protected] or 1300 855 140 for further information.
Train employees in Psychological Health and Safety skills
Workplace specific rather than community based models.
It is not a one size fits all approach. What is necessary
and sufficient for each work level/role
- Resiliency training helps ‘bounce back’ when stressed
-Communication skills help interact and solve problems
with others
- Workplace Mental Health capabilities, not awareness
raising!
© CommuniCorp Group 2013. Intellectual Property of CommuniCorp Group. The presentation cannot be
copied, distributed, modified or used for commercial purposes, in whole or in part without express written
consent of CommuniCorp Group.
Contact [email protected] or 1300 855 140 for further information.
Provide timely support to employees who are struggling
Addressing psychological health problems at an early
stage can prevent more serious problems, functional
impairment and long term disability
-Provide access to good self-care tools & psychological
treatment
- Support safe & productive stay at work
- Psychologically oriented disability management
What can you do to improve the
psychological well-being for you
and your colleagues?
© CommuniCorp Group 2013. Intellectual Property of CommuniCorp Group. The presentation cannot be
copied, distributed, modified or used for commercial purposes, in whole or in part without express written
consent of CommuniCorp Group.
Contact [email protected] or 1300 855 140 for further information.
Questions? Comments?
THANK YOU
E: [email protected]
E: [email protected]
© CommuniCorp Group 2013. Intellectual Property of CommuniCorp Group. The presentation cannot be
copied, distributed, modified or used for commercial purposes, in whole or in part without express written
consent of CommuniCorp Group.
Contact [email protected] or 1300 855 140 for further information.