Psychosocial Hazards: What Employers Need to Know

by | Oct 23, 2024

Are you doing enough to protect the mental health of your employees?

A workplace dialogue held in a glass-walled room, reflecting transparency and open communication; core elements of an effective open-door policy.Mental health at work is a bigger deal than ever, and as employers we need to manage risks like stress, bullying, and job insecurity in the workplace. The Model Code of Practice: Managing Psychosocial Hazards at Work provides guidelines for business owners, and in practice its more than just ticking boxes. Businesses need to create an environment that truly supports mental health.

What Are Psychosocial Hazards and Why Should You Care?

Psychosocial hazards aren’t just about stress, they can also include things like too much work, worrying about job security, or conflicts at work. These hidden issues can lead to burnout or bigger mental health problems if employees feel unsupported and they are left unchecked. If understanding the value of humanity is not enough, it’s also worth noting that caring about your team’s mental health isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s also good for your business. Employees who feel supported are more engaged, stick around longer, and are less likely to take personal leave. Conversely, ignoring mental health risks can lead to high turnover, absenteeism, and even business risk.

Prevention Is Key

Instead of waiting for issues to snowball, businesses should focus on prevention. Regular mental health check-ins and involving employees in spotting potential risks help nip potential challenges in the bud. Simple things like better communication processes, following through on promises, listening and implementing change where appropriate, and transparency can go a long way in reducing workplace stress and conflict.

Offering Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) – confidential services that support employees with personal or work-related challenges – can also make a big difference in creating a mentally healthy workplace.

Building a Supportive Workplace Culture

A key to managing psychosocial hazards is by creating a culture where employees feel safe to speak about mental health issues they are facing. Workers are often afraid to share their struggles for fear of being judged or facing reactions of limiting career and project opportunity. Encouraging open conversations, processes and training that supports individuals, providing mental health resources like an EAP, and having regular check-ins are simple solutions toward team members feeling safe, both mentally and physically, in the workplace.

The Bottom Line

Managing psychosocial hazards in the workplace isn’t just about ticking compliance boxes. It’s about creating a culture where mental health matters, employees feel supported, and your culture and business thrive.

Ready to support your team’s success and re-align your business culture? Whether you need a small adjustment or a full overhaul of your systems, we’re here to help. Let’s talk about how we can support your team – book a Strategy Call here.