Psychosocial Safety in the Workplace

In today’s fast-paced and evolving work environments, the importance of psychosocial safety cannot be overstated. As stated by Amy Edmundson with her work with Google, it “underpins” the entire work effort. But what is it and how do we get it? This article delves into the significance of psychosocial safety, the benefits of psychosocial safety training, and their role in fostering a healthier work environment.

Understanding PsychoSOCIAL Safety

Psychosocial safety refers to the protection of employees’ mental health and well-being by creating a work environment that promotes positive interactions and minimizes psychological risk (i.e. a positive safety culture). This involves addressing factors such as stress, harassment, bullying, work-life balance, and job satisfaction.

Why it matters?

All research agrees that When employees feel psychosocially safe, they are more engaged, productive, and committed to their work. There is also the changes in Australian legislation that states that a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) must manage the risk of psychosocial hazards in the workplace. Not only does it makes business sense, it’s a legal requirement.

So how do we achieve it?

Like any business outcome, it needs to be a priority. Without a felt need and the right paradigm to achieve a psychologically safe environment (i.e. no psychological injury is acceptable), it most likely will not be achieved. Physical safety has improved markedly in the past few decades due to this paradigm and psychological safety is no different.

An effective approach to manage risk is “Work Process Model”, or “Nertney Wheel”. It is a simple way to approach any system of work to ensure all important aspects are covered.

The four components or the model are:

• Competent People
• Systems and Procedures
• Fit for Purpose Equipment
• Safe Work Environment

All aspects are important but perhaps an area that is lacking currently is the competent people aspect.

The Importance of PsychoSOCIAL Safety Training

Psychosocial safety training should equip employees and managers with the knowledge and skills needed to identify, address, and mitigate psychosocial risks. It’s the same risk management model, but applied to the psychosocial space.

Here are some key benefits that psychosocial safety training should deliver:

1. Enhanced Awareness: Training programs need to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and the impact of psychosocial factors on overall well-being. Employees need to recognize signs of stress, burnout, and other psychological issues in themselves and their colleagues.
2. Improved Communication: Effective training needs to foster open communication and encourage employees to speak up about their concerns without fear of retribution. This creates a supportive work environment where issues can be addressed promptly. Remember, if you don’t know about it, you can’t address it.
3. Risk Mitigation: Psychological safety training should enable workers to identify potential risks and implement strategies to mitigate them. This nearly always challenges people and gets them out of their comfort zone. That said, having a proactive approach will prevent issues such as workplace bullying, harassment, and discrimination.
4. Increased Productivity: A psychologically safe workplace leads to higher employee morale and job satisfaction, resulting in increased productivity and reduced absenteeism.
5. Legal Compliance: Australia has regulations that require employers to address psychosocial hazards. Training ensures that organizations comply with these legal requirements, reducing the risk of penalties and lawsuits.

The Role of PsychoSOCIAL Safety Courses

Not all training is created equal and some would argue, psychosocial risk is the most pressing issue in the Australia safety landscape. Having psychological safety training that delivers in-depth knowledge and practical skills to manage and improve psychosocial safety in the workplace makes sense. Aspects such as stress management, conflict resolution, emotional intelligence, and resilience building are the building blocks.

For managers and leaders, psychosocial safety training offers necessary insights into creating a culture of safety and well-being, leading to better team dynamics and enhanced employee engagement.

Conclusion

Psychosocial safety in the workplace is essential for the well-being and productivity of employees. By investing in psychological safety training, organisations are not only creating a supportive environment that fosters mental health, reduces risks, and enhances overall performance, it contributes to the long-term success and sustainability of the organization.