Psychological wellbeing in the modern workplace

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. This presentation cannot be
copied, distributed, modified or used for commercial purposes, in whole or in part without express written
consent of CommuniCorp Group. Contact davidb@communicorpgroup.com or 1300 855140 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. This presentation cannot be copied, distributed, modified or
used for commercial purposes, in whole or in part without express written consent of CommuniCorp Group.
Contact davidb@communicorpgroup.com or 1300 855140 for further information.
The Context
Canada
Australia
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used for commercial purposes, in whole or in part without express written consent of CommuniCorp Group. Contact
davidb@communicorpgroup.com or 1300 855140 for further information.
Love and work
are the
cornerstones
of our
Humanness.
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used for commercial purposes, in whole or in part without express written consent of CommuniCorp Group.
Contact davidb@communicorpgroup.com or 1300 855140 for further information.
But for too many work is experienced as
contributing to poor mental health
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used for commercial purposes, in whole or in part without express written consent of CommuniCorp Group.
Contact davidb@communicorpgroup.com or 1300 855140 for further information.
“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. This presentation cannot be copied, distributed, modified or
used for commercial purposes, in whole or in part without express written consent of CommuniCorp Group.
Contact davidb@communicorpgroup.com or 1300 855140 for further information.
•
Psychological Health & Safety Matters because
... working years
They typically occur during their prime
– 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. This presentation cannot be copied, distributed, modified or
used for commercial purposes, in whole or in part without express written consent of CommuniCorp Group.
Contact davidb@communicorpgroup.com or 1300 855140 for further information.
What is a psychologically safe and healthy
workplace?
• Fosters psychological well-being while enhancing
organizational performance
• Identifies and addresses psychosocial hazards
• Staff are proud of their organisation and the work they do
• Staff have the opportunity to improve personal and
professional skills and knowledge
• Promotes respectful interactions between staff, customers
and the public
• Integrated approach to physical and psychological health and
safety
• Supports staff experiencing psychological difficulties
© CommuniCorp Group 2013. Intellectual Property of CommuniCorp Group. This presentation cannot be copied, distributed, modified or
used for commercial purposes, in whole or in part without express written consent of CommuniCorp Group.
Contact davidb@communicorpgroup.com or 1300 855140 for further information.
An Example: Brookhaven Extended Care
Facility
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used for commercial purposes, in whole or in part without express written consent of CommuniCorp Group.
Contact davidb@communicorpgroup.com or 1300 855140 for further information.
Case for addressing workplace psychological health
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. This presentation cannot be copied, distributed, modified
or used for commercial purposes, in whole or in part without express written consent of CommuniCorp Group.
Contact davidb@communicorpgroup.com or 1300 855140 for further information.
Factors that foster
psychological health
in the workplace
Staff
Engagement
Supportive
leadership
Role Clarity
Psychologically
Healthy
Workplace
Development
& Growth
Morale
Low
Workplace
Stress
Australian Psychological
Society Psychologically
Healthy Workplace Model
© CommuniCorp Group 2013. Intellectual Property of CommuniCorp Group. This presentation cannot be copied, distributed, modified or
used for commercial purposes, in whole or in part without express written consent of CommuniCorp Group.
Contact davidb@communicorpgroup.com or 1300 855140 for further information.
© CommuniCorp Group 2013. Intellectual Property of CommuniCorp Group. This presentation cannot be copied, distributed, modified or
used for commercial purposes, in whole or in part without express written consent of CommuniCorp Group.
Contact davidb@communicorpgroup.com or 1300 855140 for further information.
The choice:
Do nothing: Outcome is increased
costs, decreased
productivity/morale, loss of skilled
workforce
Act: Outcome is decreased costs, increased
productivity/morale, recruitment/retention of skilled
workers
© CommuniCorp Group 2013. Intellectual Property of CommuniCorp Group. This presentation cannot be copied, distributed, modified or
used for commercial purposes, in whole or in part without express written consent of CommuniCorp Group.
Contact davidb@communicorpgroup.com or 1300 855140 for further information.
How 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. This presentation cannot be copied, distributed, modified or
used for commercial purposes, in whole or in part without express written consent of CommuniCorp Group.
Contact davidb@communicorpgroup.com or 1300 855140 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
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used for commercial purposes, in whole or in part without express written consent of CommuniCorp Group.
Contact davidb@communicorpgroup.com or 1300 855140 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.
- PRA Tools/Surveys/Methods
- HR Metrics
© CommuniCorp Group 2013. Intellectual Property of CommuniCorp Group. This presentation cannot be copied, distributed, modified or
used for commercial purposes, in whole or in part without express written consent of CommuniCorp Group.
Contact davidb@communicorpgroup.com or 1300 855140 for further information.
Consider
psychological job fit
Consider the psychological
characteristics of work
tasks and the individual
worker to ensure good jobperson ‘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. This presentation cannot be copied, distributed, modified or
used for commercial purposes, in whole or in part without express written consent of CommuniCorp Group.
Contact davidb@communicorpgroup.com or 1300 855140 for further information.
Train employees in
Psychological
Health and Safety
skills
Workplace specific rather
than community based
models
Not 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. This presentation cannot be copied, distributed, modified or
used for commercial purposes, in whole or in part without express written consent of CommuniCorp Group.
Contact davidb@communicorpgroup.com or 1300 855140 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
© CommuniCorp Group 2013. Intellectual Property of CommuniCorp Group. This presentation cannot be copied, distributed, modified or
used for commercial purposes, in whole or in part without express written consent of CommuniCorp Group.
Contact davidb@communicorpgroup.com or 1300 855140 for further information.
Physical
Wellbeing
Personal Mission
Alignment with
the Workplace
Concentration &
Focus
Action
Orientation and
Problem Solving
Ability
Social Conditions
Emotion
Management
© CommuniCorp Group 2013. Intellectual Property of CommuniCorp Group. This presentation cannot be copied, distributed, modified or
used for commercial purposes, in whole or in part without express written consent of CommuniCorp Group.
Contact davidb@communicorpgroup.com or 1300 855140 for further information.
What can you do to improve the psychological
well-being for you and your colleagues?
© CommuniCorp Group 2013. Intellectual Property of CommuniCorp Group. This presentation cannot be copied, distributed, modified or
used for commercial purposes, in whole or in part without express written consent of CommuniCorp Group.
Contact davidb@communicorpgroup.com or 1300 855140 for further information.
Questions? Comments?
© CommuniCorp Group 2013. Intellectual Property of CommuniCorp Group. This presentation cannot be copied, distributed, modified or
used for commercial purposes, in whole or in part without express written consent of CommuniCorp Group.
Contact davidb@communicorpgroup.com or 1300 855140 for further information.
CommuniCorp is committed to improving individual, team and corporate capability and performance through the delivery of practical
programs and services that recognise the commercial implications of psychological wellbeing and optimal performance in the workplace.
For whitepapers, resources and more information about the Communicorp Group, who we work with, or our range of services, please visit our
corporate website:
www.communicorpgroup.com
Join our community of practice on Linkedin at:
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/Psychologically-Healthy-Workplaces-Australia-4879216/about
Alternatively, contact us directly on 1300 855 140 or email us at:
E: merv@communicorpgroup.com
E: Info@communicorpgroup.com
© CommuniCorp Group 2013. Intellectual Property of CommuniCorp Group. This presentation cannot be
copied, distributed, modified or used for commercial purposes, in whole or in part without express written
consent of CommuniCorp Group. Contact davidb@communicorpgroup.com or 1300 855140 for further
information.