Emotional safety and psychosocial hazards at work might seem like abstract concepts, but they’re at the heart of a productive and nurturing workplace environment. They’ve taken centre stage in recent years with growing awareness about mental wellbeing in the professional space, and the new legislation has put them firmly in the spotlight. Let’s delve into what these concepts mean and how they can be managed to foster a thriving work culture.
Understanding psychosocial hazards
Psychosocial hazards refer to elements in the work environment and the way work is organised that have the potential to harm the mental and physical health of employees. These can encompass:
- Workload demands: Excessive work, tight deadlines, or inadequate resources
- Relationships at work: Conflicts, lack of support, or harassment
- Work-life balance: Inflexible working hours and unnecessary office-based work requirements
- Lack of control: Minimal influence over one’s tasks and responsibilities
These and other factors can lead to stress, anxiety, and other mental health conditions if not properly addressed.
The importance of emotional safety
Emotional safety is the comfort or freedom one feels in expressing oneself without fear of negative consequences. In a workplace, it translates to:
- Open communication: Encouraging honest dialogues, where employees feel they can voice their thoughts without judgment
- Trust and respect: Fostering trust, where individuals know their feelings are respected
- Acceptance of diversity: Appreciating different viewpoints, backgrounds, and experiences
Emotional safety promotes creativity, collaboration, and overall wellbeing, as it allows employees to be their authentic selves.
Managing psychosocial hazards at work
Understanding psychosocial hazards and the concept of emotional safety is just the starting point. Actively managing psychosocial risks is what creates a truly healthy, best-practice workplace. Here are some steps to consider:
- Assess risks: Identify the psychosocial risks in your workplace. Engage employees in this process, so you can truly understand the issues your staff might face.
- Develop strategies: Create clear policies that address these risks, such as manageable workload policies or anti-harassment measures.
- Train and educate: Educate employees about psychosocial hazards and the importance of emotional safety. Training can help foster a compassionate work culture.
- Provide support: Implement support systems like Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), especially EAP counselling, and regular check-ins with staff to address concerns. Provide access to tools like EAP Manager Assist, which support managers to support their staff.
Emotional safety as a culture
Emotional safety is not a policy; it’s a culture. Embedding emotional safety in the workplace requires:
- Leadership commitment: Leaders must model empathy, openness, and understanding
- Regular feedback and conversations: There must be easily accessible channels for continuous dialogue, not just during formal reviews
- A no-tolerance stance on discrimination: Clear guidelines that ensure everyone feels safe and valued are a must
Psychosocial hazards at work: A collective responsibility
Workplace psychosocial hazards are a collective responsibility. The road to a thriving workplace is paved with mutual respect, empathy, emotional safety, and understanding. By recognising and actively managing psychosocial risks and cultivating emotional safety, workplaces can create an environment where every individual can flourish.
A workplace that cares for the mental wellbeing of its employees is adhering to legislation; and it is also building a foundation for success, creativity, and growth.
AUTHOR Michelle Robertson (Trudgen), Clinical Director, ACT Curious.
CONTACT US 📞 0438 922 979 (Australia Wide) email: hello@actcurious.com
DISCLAIMER The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
COPYRIGHT © ACT Curious Pty Ltd, 2023.
