Creating a psychologically healthy and safe workplace

Mental health issues cost the Canadian economy more than $50 billion annually incurring substantial losses in productivity for employers.  Creating and sustaining a psychologically safe and healthy work environment is key to being an in-demand employer. When people feel valued, engaged and supported to “bring their whole selves to work”, everybody wins.

Benefits of a safe and healthy workplace

• Attract and retain top talent
• Increase productivity
• Reduce costs, maximize profits
• Enhance brand and reputation, and
• Manage the risk of related liability

The National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace sets benchmarks for employers. Spring can share lessons learned from organizations that have been actively involved in meeting or superseding these benchmarks and help you leverage this expertise. Although not mandatory yet, there will likely be a legal imperative to implement this standard in the future. One signpost is the recent proposed legislation Bill C65 that proposes tougher federal labour laws to protect against sexual harassment. Public sector employers or those in federally-regulated sectors like banking, telecommunications or transport are being asked to establish clear policies to prevent workplace sexual harassment and to address complaints impartially or they could be penalized under the Canada Labour Code, and possibly fired.  (Toronto Star, November 7, 2017)

Here’s how Spring can help

Mental Health and Wellness Advisory Services

• Prepare for Bill C65 and other related provincial bills including audits and assessments of current state and development of a road map to ensure enhanced harassment protection
• Define what wellness means for your organization
• Equip managers to lead effective teams by raising awareness and reducing stigma associated with mental health
  • Recognize the signs of distress in the workplace
  • Manage teams to deliver when there is an absence
  • Support the individual during recovery and return to work

Implementing the Psychological Health and Safety Standard

• Integrate the standard into existing workplace systems in manageable steps
• Conduct workplace assessments
• Provide expert oversight and advice while implementing to end-to-end delivery of a Psychological Health & Safety Management System

Change Management, Communications and Training

• Make the business case and legal imperative to create a healthy and safe workplace
• Develop health and wellness communications
• Ensure infrastructure and support resources are in place
• Provide training tools to educate and encourage participation of leaders and employees
• Evolve current practices to lead in the mental health and wellness space
• Build individual skill and capacity for managing workplace stress