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Building a healthy workplace
Definitions
• Work : application of physical and mental knowledge & skills; commitment over time; effort, labour & exertion
• Employment : contract of employment for pay; set of specific tasks, located in specific physical/social context
Definitions
•Health : usually operationalized in terms of absence of physical and mental symptoms, illness and morbidity•Well-being : the subjective state of being healthy, happy, contented, comfortable and satisfied with one’s quality of life
Work and health
Possible causal pathways between health, work and well-being
Work
• Work provides income: material well-being and participation in today’s society
• Work meets important psychosocial needs in societies where employment is the norm
• Work is central to individual identity, social roles and social status
• Employment and socio-economic status are the main drivers of social gradients in health
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• Mental illness affects people of all ages, educational and income levels, and cultures
• Some groups more likely to report mental health issues:– Women– Non-managers– Not-for-profit sector– Unionized employees
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• A healthy working life is: ‘one that continuously provides working-age people with
the opportunity, ability, support and encouragement to work in ways and in an environment which allows them to sustain and improve their health and well-being’ (Scottish Executive 2004)
• ‘Work should be comfortable when we are well and accommodating when we are ill’ (Hadler 1997)
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What is a Mentally Healthy Workplace?
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What is a Mentally Healthy Workplace?
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• Recognizing signs and symptoms
• Community supports available
• Medical factors influencing mental health issues
• Strategies for keeping employees functional and successful in the workplace
• Responses to negative reactions
• Insight into legal requirements
• Handling difficult conversations
• Softer skills• Creating an inclusive
work environment
Additional Training For Front-Line Managers
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Creating Positive Change in Organizations1. Focus on education and communication to
reduce fear, stigma and discrimination
2. Create a culture conducive to good mental health
3. Demonstrate leadership at the top
4. Provide the tools and training to support managers in their role
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Building trust
Ensuring each employee understands their purpose
Setting clear expectations
Focusing on the most important priorities
Creating a circle of accountability
Growing and developing their employees
Developing Emotional Intelligence
Understanding mental health aspects in the workplace
Literature, courses etc…
GM@W
GWL Centre for Mental Health in the Workplace
Building a Healthy Workplace – Leadership Building a Healthy Workplace – Leadership DevelopmentDevelopment
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Culture:The collective attitudes, beliefs and behaviours that characterise a particular social group over time
Changing the culture of work & health
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Current: Shift to:
Work is a ‘risk’ and (potentially) harmful to physical and mental health.
Work is healthy, therapeutic & the best form of rehab.vs.Risks of long-term sickness absence
therefore therefore
Advice to stay off / sickness absence / sick certification ‘protects’ from work
Advice and support to remain in or (early) return to work
Shifting attitudes Shifting attitudes to work & healthto work & health
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