Most full-time employees spend a third of their lives at work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And when so much time is spent at work, it would be unreasonable to expect employees to separate their home life from their work life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Life \u2013 unfortunately \u2013 doesn\u2019t work like that. So if employees feel the heat and stress levels rise at home, you should expect their work performance to be impacted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Almost\u00a0half\u00a0<\/strong>of global HR and Benefit Leaders are struggling to improve their work culture. With mental health and stress management being the\u00a0top two drivers<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0for focusing on employee wellbeing, it shows the ongoing wellbeing crisis businesses are facing.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not to be confused with \u201cPsychological safety\u201d, psychosocial safety encompasses the whole wellbeing of an employee \u2013 including their psychological and social wellbeing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Protecting employees\u2019 safety isn\u2019t new \u2013 that\u2019s exactly why we have Health & Safety laws. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But what about other aspects of employee health and wellbeing? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Since April 1, 2023, many Australian states have been responsible for their workforces\u2019 psychosocial safety under new Work Health and Safety Regulations changes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Will this legislation be enforced globally? We don\u2019t know. But if the COVID-19 pandemic taught us anything, it\u2019s better to be ahead of the curve than behind.\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n By creating a safe and supportive work environment \u2013 whether your teams are in the office, on the road, or at home \u2013 <\/em>not only will your employees thrive personally, but you\u2019ll also benefit from increased engagement and productivity. Here are a few ways you can develop a psychosocially safe culture: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Appreciation and recognition are a human need. And that doesn\u2019t stop in the workplace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Who doesn\u2019t love a \u201cGreat job!\u201d or \u201cThanks for getting involved; your input really helped this project.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you want your employees to feel respected and appreciated, you need to develop a culture of recognition. This can be through 1:1 meetings with managers, peer-to-peer feedback, or even a simple call out in an organisational meeting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Open and honest communication is important in all relationships. Be it romantic, friends, or colleagues. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If your people know they can speak up about concerns, share ideas, and take risks without feeling like they\u2019ll be scrutinised, you\u2019ll see your teams flourish. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Plus, you\u2019ll be able to identify and address any psychosocial hazards in the workplace more effectively if you provide a safe environment for employees to voice their concerns. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Offering flexible work arrangements, such as remote work or flexible hours, can help employees create a work-life balance that suits their individual needs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For some workers who may experience anxiety, childcare challenges, or even burnout, flexible working arrangements can make working life just that bit easier. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Good news for employees:\u00a055%<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0of global businesses want to increase their efforts to provide flexibility in 2024.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you want to create a more caring and supportive work environment, you must ensure your managers are well-equipped to recognise the signs of psychosocial hazards. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Research shows that\u00a075%<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0of employees think managers are responsible for creating and shaping their company culture. With so much pressure on manager\u2019s shoulders, they need ongoing support to trust they\u2019re correctly supporting their employees.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n By offering resources like mental health self-guided content, workout videos, and daily stress management tips, employers can demonstrate their commitment to employee wellbeing and create happier, healthier workplaces. <\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat is psychosocial safety at work?<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Psychosocial hazards in the workplace to look out for<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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5 ways you can create a psychosocially safe culture<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Develop your rewards and recognition strategy<\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
2. Encourage open communication<\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
3. Provide flexibility<\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
4. Train managers to support psychosocial safety<\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
5. Offer wellbeing programmes<\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n